“It takes courage
to say yes to rest and play
in a culture where exhaustion
is seen as a status symbol.” 
Brené Brown

In his book, Live Life from the Heart, Mark Black writes about the importance of relaxation. He cites that rather than being an indicator of laziness, relaxation can actually be both beneficial and productive. When we take care of ourselves, we are better able to improve our overall health and well-being, while enjoying an increased sense of balance and focus in our lives.

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again here. Self-care is not selfish. Just as the batteries in our tech devices need to be recharged, so do we. Given the demands of everyday living, however, finding time for re-creation, time set aside to nurture our soul, can be a challenging task. There’s so much we need to do, right?

Stress management expert Elizabeth Scott echoes Black’s concerns in her own book, 8 Keys to Stress Management. She urges readers to let go of any feelings of guilt associated with self-care and to embrace the practice as an essential component of a healthy life.

There’s a wonderful concept which has the potential to change and improve one’s life. Working for the Catholic Church for more than forty years, I know of many individuals who have taken sabbaticals — extended periods of paid leave from their usual work. The large majority of those I know who have been given this opportunity are members of the clergy. The purpose of a sabbatical is to offer a period of rest and relaxation, and to provide an opportunity for the professional to work on a dedicated project, acquire new skills, or participate in some type of professional development. Sadly, such opportunities are rarely, if ever, provided to dedicated lay women and men who tirelessly serve the Church in various capacities. 

Despite the biblical root of a sabbatical, the practice is not reserved for the exclusive use of ordained men working in ministry in the Church. A small number of people I know, who live here in Silicon Valley and work at some of the well-known tech companies, have been offered such an opportunity. A number of these workers have been given the option to take six months off with full pay, or one full year off with half-pay. This practice is certainly consistent with the words of local author, Anne Lamott, who wrote, “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” Powerful words from a wise woman.

Even in my retirement, I have a strong desire to set aside some time for the purpose of enjoying a period of intentional rest and relaxation, and to devote a fair amount of time and energy to writing in an environment void of the distractions of everyday life. How long of a sabbatical would I like? I’ve given this considerable thought in recent years. One month would be ideal. Where would such a sabbatical take place? That’s the big question, one I hope to resolve before the end of 2024.