Two weekends ago, my wife and I were at the beach. The weather turned very cold as we arrived on Friday evening. I was still running with the adrenaline of a busy work week when we arrived, and I plowed my way through about 100 e-mails that evening to finish the day. I am highly motivated by achievement. In some ways its good - I like to measure tasks and get things done. At other times, it drives me beyond what is balanced.
The next morning I awoke around 7:30, but I was still tired. My wife spoiled me with breakfast in bed. I spent so much energy eating that I quickly went back to sleep ... for two hours. When I awoke late the in morning, I still felt tired. It was extremely cold that day with a sharp wind blowing sideways outside and drafting through the windows inside. We both kept on the flannel pajamas, and we read and napped even more throughout the afternoon.
As the daylight began to fade, I recognized that I was feeling a bit frustrated. Not enough done. In fact I hadn't really done anything on my list for that day. I began the day exhausted, and I slept through almost all of it. Opportunity missed; day wasted. I was issuing a mental scolding, when I realized that I had done exactly what was important. I rested.
That day I followed a pattern of nature. Daylight was short, the weather was cold, very little was going on, and I just hibernated like a bear. I burrowed in my cave, kept myself warm, and slept the day away.
On Sunday, the result was great. My energy returned and my focus was clear. I had not wasted a day, but instead, I nurtured my body. Bears are smart. They know their seasons. And sometimes we all need a time simply to rest.
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