As the days get shorter and the nights get longer, this is a time for rest, rejuvenation, and reflection. There is a certain tranquility and benefit in doing nothing, of just taking a good pause.
Speaking for myself, doing nothing has never been my strong suit – and, yes, doing nothing can be a strong suit when it is needed.
I am a busy-body and always have been – but this comes at a cost. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized firsthand how my mental health can suffer in the midst of the hustle and bustle of daily life without pause.
If I’m not taking the time to rest, rejuvenate, and reflect, I notice my temperament fuse gets shorter, my to-do lists get longer, and before I know it, I’m running on fumes with a long road of commitments ahead of me.
I’ve had to learn the hard way how at times, doing nothing can truly be a necessity, a non-negotiable. And if I don’t listen to the signs of my physical and mental health signaling to me that I need to take time for myself, I know there will be consequences, and these consequences do not just have an effect on me, but those around me, and ultimately, the collective as well.
Much is happening right now, for all of us. It’s a polarizing time in the human collective matrix, and it seems much is coming to the surface.
We’re talking about the future of the planet, a conversation sparked by the recent global summit. People are recognizing that the vaccines aren’t what they were promised to be, and in the midst of it all, our civil liberties are getting eroded little by little.
When the world feels heavy, the hardest thing to do is just pause, sit, pray, and breathe, or watch the sunset and just have faith.
In times like these, I do understand the need to contribute – to be a part of the solution.
However, it’s really important that we enter these conversations and acts of service rested; it’s kind of like preparing for a ceremony or ritual. We want to go into a ceremony with good energy because the experience is going to take energy.
As we draw near the end of another intense year and gear up for the holidays, and prepare to welcome in a new year and a new beginning as well, remember to take care of yourself.
The holidays are a magical time, yet they take energy as well – family and friends gather, gifts are exchanged, new inspirations dazzle us, new dreams are realized, and we are reminded of the beauty and extravagance of just being alive. We celebrate, we make plans for the new year, and we rekindle our hope.
The time between now and then in these darkening months is the perfect time to rest up; in fact, this seasonal cycle of rest, rejuvenation, and reflection is natural, and, even crucial.
We humans are not designed to keep our foot on the gas pedal all year long – it is not sustainable for our overall health and well-being. We need time to recover and refuel, to take in the scenery and breathe, before the next stretch of road – the new upcoming year.
At times, doing nothing can make a difference in everything.
In light of this, I will be mostly offline through the holidays as I rest up and prepare to welcome in another dynamic trip around the sun.
I encourage you all to take a break this weekend, get outside, breathe, and just be.
To your health,
Dr. Dan
Get healthy. Stay present. Help out.