During the summer months around our place, it’s common to see at least one or two empty chairs each week. From tropical locations to european dream vacations, the Stone Ward family is exploring and enjoying every corner of the earth…and making everyone jealous with their Facebook updates.
It was during a recent “staycation” that I realized the value of time away from the daily routine. What happened during that week wouldn’t look impressive in photographs or make my selective list of Facebook friends jealous, but it did reveal some important truths.
Time is our most valuable resource.
- Regardless of how our 24 hours are used each day, they come and go. With increasing demands and pressure, we have the tendency to let the standard eight-hour work day slip into ten or more as we sacrifice leisure time and, more importantly, hours of sleep.
- The National Commission on Sleep Disorders estimates that sleep deprivation costs $150 billion a year in higher stress and reduced workplace productivity.
- We can’t make time; we can only take time. We have to recognize if the time we take will ultimately be to our (and our employer’s) benefit or detriment.
Relationships are crucial to our well-being.
- Technology affords us the ability to communicate with friends and family at our leisure, but it cannot replace the dynamics that occur face-to-face.
- When Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, author of My Stroke of Insight, appeared on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday, she talked about how people have the ability to bring you energy – a concept I’ll never forget. Spending time in the physical presence of our friends and loved ones allows us to re-charge from the energy they bring – something we can’t obtain from merely communicating across a device.
Soul-searching is a necessity.
- You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? – Matthew 5:13
- External influences can sometimes distort the lens of our soul, impairing our ability to hold focus. Our values, beliefs and passions can often take a back seat to deadlines and commitments. Taking time to reflect on the big picture re-aligns our perspective and restores balance in our lives.
America hasn’t yet adopted Europe’s 5-7 weeks of annual paid leave time, but it’s amazing what five business days can do to reset a positive attitude and energy for your work. Hopefully you, too, have scheduled some time away to renew your mind, body and spirit.
