Getting off the Treadmill of Life

Steve, a pastor friend of mine, and I were having a discussion recently about the busyness of life and how it is so difficult to get off the "treadmill" at times. During our chat, he shared with me something that he practices. He tries to “divert daily, withdraw weekly and abandon annually.”

I said, “What does that mean?”

He went on to share that he attempts to schedule down time each day (divert daily) whether it be going to the mall for an hour during the day or working out or just closing his eyes and being quiet for five minutes. He said this helps him to remain focused and avoid fatigue during the day.

He continued that he tries to unplug for a longer period of time once per week. He said this is his Sabbath day as given to us by God in the 10 Commandments:

Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work… (Exodus 20:9).

Steve then shared that he does not consider this a super spiritual day. He doesn’t spend the entire day meditating on God’s word. He sees it as a break from the normal routine of work.

This is something I began practicing a little over a year ago. Do I always get it right? No. But Sundays (which are my Sabbath) have been fun days for me and I really look forward to them. I believe this period of rest is very beneficial to me and my productivity the rest of the week.

Then on an annual basis, Steve abandons his normal life. For him this is different from a vacation. What he does is schedule a trip with two or three of his close friends who live in different parts of the country. They rotate each year to a location near one of them to make it fair. Here are Steve’s words to describe what this week looks like:

“It is a time completely devoted to spiritual renewal. The days are given to study and reading and talking with each other about what the Lord is revealing to each of us. It truly is a time of iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17).

The day usually starts with each person having their own quiet time which naturally flows into discussion about various insights each of us might be receiving from the Lord. At times we help each other with preparation for business, ministry or personal direction for the next year.

We usually kick back during the evenings with little to no structure. We may go to dinner, play cards or go to a movie.”

This discussion has really challenged me to step up my game when it comes to chilling out. I am currently trying very hard to incorporate this into my schedule and so far it has helped me a great deal. And the thing that amazes me is that even when I do take a break from work, the world keeps on rotating! Imagine that!

"Be still and know that I am God."

Psalm 46:10a

Unplugged II

My wife Connie and I returned early this morning from a great week in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. We were celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary and we had an awesome time.

I did something I haven't done in a while. I went on this trip and totally unplugged. No laptop. No cell phone. No connection to the civilized world (well, actually this isn't totally true...I did leave my cell on in case there was an emergency at home but I didn't answer it the whole week).

It was fantastic not having those things to tie me down. In fact, I didn't think about any of that stuff the entire week. I actually got to do a whole lot of nothing which was just what the doctor ordered. I read five books and spent some incredible time with my bride. Ahhh, peace. Good stuff.

And you know what? Even though I wasn't there to answer my phone or my emails, the world did not come off its axis! And getting through all my emails didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would. Thank you Lord!

I have made a commitment to myself that I now want to translate this somehow into my day to day life and not stress out when I'm not getting all my "stuff" done.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28

Unplugged

Picture from http://www.firstpeople.us/

Rest. A good thing, right?

Well, to be honest, in my past, I've looked at it as a dirty word. I felt lazy or unproductive when I was resting or doing nothing. It is only recently that I have started giving myself permission to do nothing. I know that sounds strange to some, but it's the truth.

In fact, for the past year I have really been trying to make Sundays my Sabbath day. I try not to do a whole lot. And you know what? Sunday has become my favorite day of the week.

Despite my Sabbath day, I have been running pretty hard lately. So, I am going to "unplug" from a few things for a week or so. Updating this blog is one of those things.

I plan to post again sometime around the end of March if you'd like to come back then. Thank you for checking in with me.

Blessings to you!

"Be still and know that I am God."

Psalm 46:10

Urban Renewal

I must admit before getting started that I am not a fan of the Florida Gators. In fact, I kind of dislike them. It probably stems from the fact that they clobbered my beloved Buckeyes in the national championship game several years ago. I know, I'm a sore loser (and I probably need to get a life).

With that being said, I do respect what they have done. I also respect Urban Meyer, their very successful coach.

This weekend he shocked the college football world by announcing that he was resigning at the age of 45 to take care of his health. Then, within 24 hours, he announced that he will take the offer the university gave him of a sabbatical before returning to the team.

The impression I got from hearing his press conference was that he was burned out. It also appears that it is all or nothing with Meyer and that he clearly works way too much. Some reporters said it was a true 24/7 job with him. This had apparently caught up with him causing him to collapse after this year's SEC Championship Game.

Over his five years at Florida, Meyer has won two national championships and has the highest winning percentage of any active coach--quite impressive. So, this could not have been an easy decision. He is at the top of his game. Plus he makes $4 million per year. He has "success" in the world's eyes. Yet, he is stepping down. He obviously sees that all this "success" isn't worth much if he doesn't have his health or his family to share it with.

I applaud Urban Meyer for making this decision.

Heading into this new year, this can be a great lesson for all of us who are driven personalities. Balance between work and life is so important. We must make time to live, laugh and love...and to rest and renew.

Carpe Diem!

Sharpening the Saw

Yesterday, as I mentioned in my previous post, I got two or less hours of sleep before leading our 3rd Tuesday Truth At Work group that morning. I arrived back to my office around 12:30 and tried to catch up on some stuff that came up while I was away the prior few days. I really wanted to get caught up.

However, it seemed I just couldn't get much done. I felt like I was running in quicksand and getting nowhere fast. So, I decided to take a nap.

I then went to a production my son was involved in at school last night and came home and immediately went back to bed and had a great night's sleep.

Today, I had another Truth At Work group to lead and I am now in my office making some nice headway on my tasks.

Stephen Covey's seventh habit in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is Sharpen the Saw. He says that we must rest or refresh in order to be most effective. This is obviously a Biblical principle as well (see the 10 commandments). In the book, he tells the following story:

He's walking through the woods and he hears a sawing noise. He investigates and finds a guy sweating profusely as he tries to cut down a tree. He says to him, "What are you doing?"

The man replies, "I'm cutting down this tree, you dummy!"

Stephen says, "No, I mean, it looks like you have been working hard. How long have you been at this?"

"Two hours."

"Why don't you take some time to sharpen the saw? It will make things go much faster and easier."

"I don't have time to do that--I've got to get this tree cut down!"

Yesterday afternoon when I was trying to get my work done, I had the same attitude as that tree cutter. I could have worked for hours without getting much done. What I really needed was to sharpen my saw which in my case was getting some sleep.

How sharp is your saw?

For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day.

Exodus 20:11a

Family Time

I'm in Virginia this week at an incredible resort with my family. To be honest, none of us were overly excited about this place for some reason. I'm not sure why. Some of us (my daughters) were hoping for a beach. Some for relaxation (my wife and I). From what we could tell on the resort's website, this looked like it offered neither.

However, we were pleasantly surprised. This place is awesome. We have been able to relax and even get some time at the pool with a couple of beautiful days this weekend. All around us is beauty. Mountains, trees, wildlife. In fact, this evening, we were sitting on our balcony which overlooks a ski run that is under construction when we noticed a mother deer and her three fawns.

We quickly made our way out to the ski slope to see them more closely and hopefully get some close-up pictures. We were able to do that and I even got the above shot of my daughter Molly trying to "fit in" with the deer so they wouldn't notice us. It didn't work too well but it did give us a laugh.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy your week as my posts will probably be pretty sparse in the coming week.

Celebrate

I feel like I need to go to work so that I can rest. On Saturday of this weekend, we attended graduation party #1. Shortly thereafter, we attended a wedding in which our daughter was the maid of honor.

Yesterday after church, we attended graduation party #2 which was next door. Then we attended graduation party #3. We returned from #3 and then went back to #2.

Whew. I'm tired.

It was great to see so many good friends and catch up. However, I really long for a day of doing nothing.

Maybe me looking forward to doing nothing is a good sign. I don't relax well normally. Perhaps part of God's commandment to rest on the seventh day is starting to sink in with me.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Jesus in Matthew 11:28

And He Will Give You Rest

A friend of mine, Brian Keel, is the CFO for the Toledo Area YMCAs. He also is quite a writer. He sends out a weekly email devotional that is very thought provoking. This week's is no exception. Because we live in such a fast-paced world, I wanted to share his words from this week here:

As I’m writing this I am wishing that my three-year-old would take her nap. She has had a busy morning and hasn’t taken a nap for several days. The house is nice and quiet….she had a snack and a drink….she’s weary and needs the rest…I’ve provided seemingly everything that she needs…but no luck. What is she waiting for?

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Jesus

It’s not just the little ones that forget to take their rest. I think it’s all of us! Perhaps we are still struggling under the burden of trying to earn our favor with God; to justify a spot in heaven through our good works. Perhaps we are confident in our faith but have our foot on the “godly gas pedal” trying to serve others 24/7. Or perhaps we are just plain tired, with the energy needed to sustain work, family and marriages gone.

The verse above from Matthew applies to all those situations and more. One nap refreshes the body for a time, but doesn’t help us a week from now. Sunday morning church time can refresh the soul for a time, but what about the rest of the week? A daily dose of God’s rest is what we really need. It might be prayer, or music or devotional time or maybe even getting more sleep. Whatever it is for you, what are you waiting for?

(shhh… I think she finally went to sleep!)

R & R

I wanted to let you know that I will not be posting anything next week as I am taking a week off for R&R...not even checking emails...totally unplugged (which is a big stretch for me!). So, please check back the week of April 6th!

Take care!

Sabbath

One of my goals in 2009 is to do a much better job of practicing a Sabbath. I have known for a long time that it is one of the 10 commandments, yet, I haven't taken it very seriously. After all, I have lots of stuff to do!

I am starting to look at it a little differently, thanks to God's whispers (and sometimes shouts) in my ear. I am beginning to see a day of rest as a gift to me from God. When I don't take advantage of that and accept that gift, I will be less effective the rest of my week. I will actually be robbing myself.

Yesterday, I had a day of rest and, while it was a bit awkward at first (I was still looking for things to do from time to time), I thoroughly enjoyed it. I do feel more refreshed and ready to take on this week. Thanks God!

"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."

Exodus 20:8-11

The Ethics Of Taking A Vacation

I just returned from a week-long vacation to Florida with my family this past weekend. It was a great time. Probably the best part of the trip for me was simply doing nothing. No bills to pay. No lawn to mow. No "to do" lists to review. Just being.

The reason this is so great to me is because I don't relax well when I am at home. It seems I always find something that "needs" to be done. I have been accused of not being a human "being" but rather a human "doing." This can have its advantages but I also view it as a weakness as I can get burned out. As a result, I love vacations because it helps me to get away from all that.

There are many who are so busy that they don't feel they can take a vacation. Or they fear that their business will suffer if they are away. They might even feel guilty for taking a vacation.

I recently read a very good article which actually makes the claim that it is our ethical responsibility to take a vacation. The article claims that taking time out to recharge your batteries will make you and your company better. I agree with the author. Now I need to practice it more often by finding more frequent down time in my life.