find rest . . . creativity needs room to breathe

Send to Kindle

If days were people, I wouldn’t want to be January 2. Imagine the pressure. The big day. First “real” day of the year after the New Year’s holiday. Even more than January 1, the second is that big fresh start, the day we really have to get going on all the things we want to change, accomplish, and do better.

If I were January 2, I think I would wish I was Leap Day.

The last quarter of the year always feels like a marathon to me. Conferences, all the projects that need to be finished by the new year, the general hustle and bustle of the holiday season—it’s a lot. And by the end, I’m tired. I bet you are too. The Christmas break at the end of the year is something I long for and cherish.

A few weeks ago, on the Sunday before Christmas, our pastor spoke on rest. We all need it—we were created that way. But sadly, we don’t carve it into our schedule nearly enough. I know . . . sometimes it seems impossible to do.

With the start of the new year, creative ideas are swirling in my mind. It always happens like that after a period of rest. What would happen if rest was intentionally factored in as a regular part of my life? It should be, but it’s easy to think we can’t take the time. I think a lot more creativity would flow if I took the time out to rest. Seems rather obvious, I know—but I think most of us still struggle with our time and finding rest.

So often, we believe that working harder, faster, and longer is the answer. What if, by slowing down, we would actually accomplish more. Create more. It seems counterintuitive, but there’s truth there.

In 2013, it’s one of my goals . . .

Rest—because creativity needs room to breathe.

(tweet this)

What are your goals for 2013?