This holiday season, rest

This year, instead of traditional holiday pajamas, my wife gifted me this Kamala-la-la holiday sweatshirt. I enjoy our holiday pajama tradition. And, this year in particular, I am thankful for the reminder to rest.

2020 has been a rollercoaster compounded by waves of emotional exhaustion. Please don't underestimate the toll it has taken on you. We haven't been working from home, we've been working during an international pandemic, a racial reckoning, and a political election cycle that challenged U.S. democracy. Translation: the demands on our energy have been ongoing and unprecedented.

So this holiday season, while we ♫ deck the halls with smart strong women ♫ like Vice President Elect Kamala Harris and Dr. Jill Biden, may we also rest.

"How? When?" I am often asked.

Now.

In this very moment.

Take one minute to close your eyes and listen to your breath.

Try it.

Now.

Like now.

Set a timer if you want, one minute

Then look for longer moments where you can slow down. Plan 30 minutes to read if that is rejuvenating. Lay in bed a bit longer and go to bed a bit earlier. Nap. Sing. Shower. Notice what helps you to exhale and do more of that.

“It is not that I am now able to rest because I have done the work. Rather, it is because I rest, that I am able to do the work.”

- Rev. Angel Kyodo Williams

Amen Rev Amen. So, if by chance, you are fortunate enough to have come to the year with productive energy to spare - rest anyway. If you are just surviving or can tell you are already in burnout - rest as much as is possible. If you are resting, rest some more.

Here are two books that can help you to carve out time to rest and help your body to rest:

My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem contains insights on how our body holds trauma and somatic practices for listening to our bodies and helping it to rest.

Deep Work by Cal Newport describes how leaders step away and rejuvenate in order to innovate and provides tips for managing our time more effectively.

Here are opportunities to be in quiet group meditation with Rev. Angel Kyodo Williams over the next few weeks.

As we bring the year to a close, what gift are you giving yourself?

Sending love, health and ease to you and your loved ones … and a reminder and invitation to rest.