In the first lines of the poem The Night Before Christmas, the narrator had just settled down for a long winter’s nap before being awoken by a visit from Santa Claus. For anyone feeling like 2024 has been a struggle, the sound of a long nap is deeply appealing, preferably with no interruptions! Yet too often, we talk ourselves out of this essential rest, and instead pile on more activities and commitments, plans and projects – far more than can really fit into whatever “free” time we have. And when we have to drop something or plans fall through, it can be hard not to succumb to feelings of guilt or regret, of letting others down.
What if instead, we looked at rest as a reflective, spiritual practice, creating space for thoughts to flow in and out of our minds? Rest helps us process the thousands of pieces of information we encounter daily. It allows us to return to our whole selves, in order to give more fully another day. Imagine how many interactions might go more smoothly if we were able to come to them well rested and with a clear mind!
Rest is also resistance, a way of fighting the pressure to constantly be on the go. It can be hard to walk the talk of slowing down, and too easy to feel guilty about prioritizing sleep over performance and production, action and results. It is up to us to be each other’s role models and celebrate rest. Every opportunity to give positive reinforcement when someone takes time to nap helps shift attitudes towards valuing rest, making others feel comfortable to do so without guilt.
Throughout the Fall semester, you've done a lot of learning and thinking, moving and shaking. Now, it's time to let your heart and mind process through rest. Consider this your invitation to a long winter’s nap, entirely guilt-free! Let go of your passion and intensity for a little while. Try setting aside at least 30 minutes one day this week to take a nap and journal about it. Reflect on how easy or hard this practice was for you. Perhaps this will become a sustainable healing ritual to empower a tired body and mind to face whatever your world has to offer when you open your eyes again.
Wishing you goodness and peace over the winter break!
