“Sometimes the creativity is in the rest.” Joshua Kissi
Every day I remind myself to rest, an experience I have only recently learned to value. My parents were both ambitious. Wanting to please them, I became a go-getter. When my body became drained, I refused to give in because that would make me lazy. This word was commonly bandied about in my family, as in, “Don’t be a lazy slob.”
Upon reflection, it astounds me how deeply I disrespected my body’s needs. I powered through difficult or exhausting situations, as if this were a virtue. At the most stressful times in my life, I worked all night, sustained by caffeine and protein drinks. Then I got cancer. Luckily, I survived and made myself a promise.
I decided to be kind to my body; this meant making profound changes in both behavior and thought patterns. When I observed my mind saying, “What an idiot,” I changed to an affirmative, such as “I love and respect my body.” Over time, I gained more confidence and calm.
Author Mary Roach helped me to adapt to my new attitude when she said in her book, Packing for Mars, “The human organism is built for tension and relaxation, work and sleep. The principle of life is rhythm.”
Whenever I feel tired at any time of the day, I give myself time to nap or meditate. While at peace, I take pleasure in the spaciousness my body and mind feel. When I get up, new insights usually arise. Perhaps I visualize the next step in my drawing or painting. Maybe I see the best way forward in a difficult relationship. My subconsciousness seems to bring forward these gifts that arrive after repose. I’m in awe of the rhythm of ease and effort.
Plus, life is more fun. Instead of a mind full of self-criticism, I now find great joy in both the energetic states and the tranquil ones.
