Lessons From My Pets: Take Time To Rest And Recharge!

Animals follow nature's rhythm. They wake up with the rising sun, eat, work hard aka play and then sleep when the sun sets. 

During the course of the day, they rest as needed. 

They don't have this need to be "productive" but instead are satisfied with whatever it is that they've done. 

In fact, they don't even think about how "productive" they've been. 

Animals truly live in the moment and listen to and follow nature's cycle.

Jackie always takes time to relax and enjoy the outdoors when she's not busy chasing Annie or strolling the neighborhood. 

She sometimes leaves home for days at a time but always returns as though she is coming home after a hunt

Annie napping in my lap during our drive to school in the morning.
In case you were wondering, Aly took this picture.

This is Chloe, the senior member of our family.
She has mastered the art of relaxing.

I just find it so fascinating that animals don't feel guilty about taking time to rest when they need to.

Unlike them, we humans, not only feel guilty about taking time to slow down and recharge our batteries, but we also tend to be critical of those that do take time to slow down and rest. 

We view them as being lazy and lacking motivation.

All three napping after a hard day of playing, :)

Instead, we take pride in over-working and functioning on minimal sleep. 

How many times have you heard someone proudly declare, "I only slept for 2 hours (or some obscene amount)," 

The response is usually one of admiration and respect instead of disgust and pity.

It seems that the advancement of technology that was intended to make our lives easier has in actuality served as a burden for man where he/she feels "obligated" to work longer and harder. 

I pray that we learn to honor our bodies by resting and slowing down as needed.

Love and Light,

From one sufi to another,

anita