It took just six words to fulfill the dream of a lifetime. “Ladies and gentlemen,” the flight attendant announced, “welcome to Malta.” No one on the plane clapped or cheered as the midnight arrival taxied to the gate, but inside I was dancing with excitement. All my life I had learned about my Maltese heritage. Although my dad was born in Washington, D.C., both of his parents … [Read more...]
Do you need a new perspective?
Unlike my brother, the pilot, I don’t often get a chance to fly. When I do, I still have the awe of rising above the land until people look like ants and houses look like Monopoly pieces. Recently I was flying from Washington, D.C. to Chicago on a particularly dreary day. The gray sky and drizzle of rain conjured a sense of monotonous drudgery that echoed my view of life on … [Read more...]
Getting Back to Nature for Restoration
A few weeks before my 18th birthday, my dad took my brother and me on a camping trip to the boundary waters of Minnesota (the boundary waters are a series of lakes between northern Minnesota and Canada). We loaded a Duluth pack (a large backpack) and a couple smaller backpacking packs with supplies and headed out in a canoe for a 6-day trip. We canoed through the lakes and … [Read more...]
Take a Rewarding Getaway for Free
We all need vacations or even just a weekend getaway to recharge and come back to our work refreshed. Unfortunately, vacations aren’t free, and the cost can often keep us from fitting them into our finances. A weekend getaway can cost hundreds of dollars between travel expenses, 2-3 nights in a hotel, and meals out plus entertainment like tickets to museums, exhibits, … [Read more...]
Secret Ingredients for Relaxation
In our busy lives, it is important to take time to relax. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s hard to slow down from the frenetic pace at which we often move through our days. Our minds and bodies may desperately want a respite, but the tension that has built up must be diffused first. Sleeping pills and relaxants may do the trick, but with the risk of side effects and even … [Read more...]
The Secret Power of Silence
Our lives are noisy places. Between the hustle and bustle of work and life, we are bombarded by constant noise. In our 24/7 world, silence is of little value. The radio blares music or commentary and television beams images and stories and news. The noise level has reached such staggering levels that silence may even seem scary. We may say we yearn for peace and quiet, but when … [Read more...]
Declare a Pajama Day
Our work lives have been compared to hamster wheels in which we are the hamster, running and running with nothing to mark our progress except the squeak in the wheel. From dawn until dusk, and often long after dark, we move incessantly from one task or activity to the next. We run here and there and try to get it all done. Sometimes we just have to get off the wheel! This is … [Read more...]
Guilt-Free Getaways
Taking time to recharge is vital to maintaining a high level of productivity. While we often push ourselves to work more, it is actually best to stop working on a regular basis so you can return to work refreshed and re-energized. Scheduling in low-cost getaways is a great way to get a change of scenery and time for renewal on a regular basis. Getaways don’t need to be … [Read more...]
Finding Peace in Sabbath Rest
I recently started reading a book titled 24/6 by medical doctor Matthew Sleeth. It is a book about Sabbath rest. I have read other books about slowing down, adding Margin to busy lives, and spending time with God. I’m no stranger to the fourth commandment: Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the … [Read more...]
Snow Days and Other Impromptu Days of Rest
This winter has had a record number of snowfalls in many areas of the U.S. The number of snow days for school children has exceeded what seems reasonable to stay on track with academics. Even businesses and government offices have shut down, giving adults snow days too. While snow days are somewhat inconvenient because they mess with the routine, they also offer an impromptu … [Read more...]
