  Spiritual
This week: Edited by: larryp
More Newsletters By This Editor 
1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions
** Image ID #1457931 Unavailable **
Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time.
Sir John Lubbock |
| ASIN: 0910355479 |
|
Amazon's Price: $ 13.99
|
|
Next week, my wife and I will be vacationing in the mountains of Utah. It is a time we have greatly anticipated for several months now. Times of rest are very important to our spiritual well-being. In the military, they give the soldiers what is called R&R, after they come out of a battle zone. R&R stands for rest and recuperation or rest and relaxation. Often, life can be much like a battle-zone and we become weary and our bodies and minds require a period of rest, away from the heat of battle. Because people are different, with different likes and dislikes, we all have different views of what incorporates rest and recuperation.
Many people prefer visiting the large cities. My step-daughter just returned from San Francisco and she loved the activity of the city. Some consider relaxation as the roller coasters at the amusement parks around the country; others prefer an ocean cruise. My wife and I enjoy seclusion in a place of quiet amid the awesome loveliness of nature. This year, a friend is allowing us the use of a mountain cabin and has provided transportation while we are there. We have long awaited this trip and as the day draws near, our excitement mounts, as we will board the plane this coming Friday.
I believe much of the stress we carry today could be minimized by taking periods of rest and relaxation. One of the worlds most famous artists, Leonardo Da Vinci, gave the following advice regarding relaxation.
Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when
you come back to your work your judgment will be surer.
Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller
and more of it can be taken in at a glance and a lack
of harmony and proportion is more readily seen.
Noted author Ellen Goodman reveals the advantages of a period of rest and relaxation:
What do I want to take home from my summer vacation? Time.
The wonderful luxury of being at rest. The days
when you shut down the mental machinery that keeps life
on track and let life simply wander. The days when you
stop planning, analyzing, thinking and just are.
Summer is my period of grace.
If you're in a state of stress, you'll find it difficult to think and act in a way that leads to inner peace. Stress quickens the body, makes it difficult to think clearly and can lead to bad decisions.
If you haven't taken time in the past for rest and relaxation, now's the time to change your thinking. This is especially true when you're in your greatest state of turmoil. If you're drowning in debt or going through a bad relationship and feeling like you can't breathe, get yourself away from the situation for a little while.
You'll discover that you'll come back feeling more refreshed and you may have even come up with an idea or two to improve your situation. When you allow yourself a little rest and relaxation, you help relieve some of the fear and anxiety. This allows your mind to slow down and think abundantly, rather than negatively.
http://www.achieving-life-abundance.com/rest-and-relaxation.html
Over the course of my life, I have learned the importance of extended times of rest and relaxation. While daily rest is required to maintain stamina on a day to day basis, an extended time away is invaluable to the spiriutal well-being.
Oxford's chief medical officer said, "This survey is a wakeup call for Americans to realize that taking a vacation is not frivolous behavior. It's essential to staying healthy. Regular vacations are preventive medicine -- they cut down on stress-related illness and save health care dollars." He emphasized that while taking a vacation provide stress relief benefits, medical research shows that it can also lower risk of death. "Taking a vacation is a serious health issue that should not be ignored. It could save your life."
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2005/07/21/vacation.aspx
|
From around Writing.com:
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1481959 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1424440 by Not Available. |
| |  | Refuge (E)
Rest and relaxation and getting away from it all.
#1457325 by godspeed   |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1326599 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1013741 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1357544 by Not Available. |
|
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
Don't forget to support our sponsor!
| ASIN: B085272J6B |
Product Type: Kindle Store
|
Amazon's Price: $ 9.99
|
|
Pen Name
Dear Larry,
Keep persevering in your efforts to help homeless families! The attitude of the neighbors opposed to this is dismaying, and I can't help think of the innkeepers turning away Joseph and Mary, saying "There is no room here." God forbid they themselves should find themselves without a roof over their heads, and as you stated with the economy, that is indeed possible.
Sincerely,
Lois
Thank you for the encouragement Lois. It has been a struggle and discouraging at times, but one that must be engaged and persevered for the homeless children. |
| ASIN: B083RZ2C5F |
|
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
Not currently available. |
|
To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.
|
Spiritual: October 08, 2008 Issue [#2651]
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
