2 years, 7 months ago-
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Hi! I wanted to see how everyone is doing on this beautiful day? I decided to take 10 minutes of my lunch to sit outside, listen & just breathe. There’s always so much to do. It’s important for me to take a time out and just enjoy nature. What does everyone else do to reset or energize themselves during the day?
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Carol, what a beautiful day to enjoy lunch outside. The Benedictine tradition has the phrase “Ora et Labora” to emphasize the importance of “pray and work”- to prioritize that “turning towards” to balance the demands of work. The Benedictines do this through a practice known as the Divine Office done three times per day, a practice known as Lectio Divina, and periods of study and silence. And this in no way slows down their productivity! Benedictine Sisters have started healthcare systems, schools, justice initiatives, shelters and protection for abused women, many have advanced degrees ranging from nursing and education to accounting and business administration, just to name a few examples.
You going into nature, into your yard, and ‘turning toward’ was an example of this spirit. You nurtured and then turned back to work, to action.
It’s interesting, and I find it true in my own experience, is that I always think I don’t have time to “pause” but when I do there is an openness that makes everything I had to do get done with more efficiency or more creativity – the essence of the work changes. Do you notice this to be true, too?
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Teri, I agree completely! Taking a time out does help to clear the mind. I’ll come back to my desk calmer and more open to ideas and solutions. Which reminds me of an old quote:
“You should sit in meditation for 20 minutes a day, unless you are too busy. Then you should sit for an hour”
Taking a break to breath and recenter can be so difficult when overwhelmed. But it does help- when I persuade myself to do it!
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