Wendell Berry wrote a series of poems called Sabbaths, with the idea that land and people must rest periodically. The idea of working nonstop is not what life is about. The idea that we must take breaks as certainly as we must eat and that we don’t need permission but are actually required to do so for our own good appeals to me. I have thought about it a lot in life but rarely put it into practice.
How many coffee tables, fine china sets, cars, and other stuff do we actually need in life?
Switter, I am finally catching up on the past few weeks of comments, so I'm so sorry it's taken me longer than I'd like to get back to you here -- but thank you for this! I love Wendell Berry, but haven't come across Sabbaths before...I will be checking it out asap.
Your comment also made me think of something I read about a while ago, about the ancient Hebrew concept of a Sabbath year in the seven-year agricultural cycle. It's called shmita, and it literally translates as "release." Thank you for helping me remember it, it's an idea (and practice) that I need to revisit much more often than I do 🙏
And every 7 x 7 years was the Year of Jubilee, when all debts were cancelled and all slaves were freed. No one was to live in debt or bondage forever. It’s an idea that would have transformed the world if it was practiced.
I think plenty of us on Substack need this cue, thanks Candace 😊 I've always loved that culture in Europe, where shops and cafes close between 1 and 4pm each day for siesta too.... we could learn a lot 😃
Yes! I know how hard it is for me to build in time to rest in my own creative practice, so I had a feeling this might resonate here on Substack as well 😊 Thanks so much for your lovely comment, Vicki -- I'm so glad you enjoyed reading this 🤍
that's usually the time of day most people's eyes start slamming shut, right along with their brains. There's only so much work one can actually do efficiently before the mental blinds come down over the window.
Well goodness me. I asked for a sign and got a literal "sign," and from my very wise daughter. Someone just asked me, "How is your 'resting going?'" I smiled. "Well, I'm learning how to rest for the first time in my life. But, the greater pursuit is an inner state of rest. Rest on the inside." I'm going to print this off and place it on the frig. Thank you! Keep teaching me, Candace Rose.
"Rest on the inside." I just love that, Mom -- I know rest doesn't always come easy to either of us, but I hope we can both make big strides over the coming months in allowing ourselves the time and space to rest and reset 🤍🤍 love you!!
We cancelled a trip to Victoria this week due to my grandma’s passing but I still kept my vacation days. We’ve stayed around home and I feel like I’m itching to do something but perhaps the need is not for plans but for rest. Thank you.
Amanda, I'm so sorry just to get back to you here, and I'm especially sorry to hear about your grandma's passing. A new friend of mine here in Antwerp just lost her grandmother over the weekend, and as I shared with her, I know how special grandmas are and what a hole they can leave behind in a family. Sending love and light to you and your family right now 🙏🤍
Sue, I am finally catching up on the past few weeks of comments, so I'm sorry I haven't got back to you here sooner! But thank you so much for your beautiful words, and for sharing the story as well -- I'm so glad this resonated with you 🤍
Wendell Berry wrote a series of poems called Sabbaths, with the idea that land and people must rest periodically. The idea of working nonstop is not what life is about. The idea that we must take breaks as certainly as we must eat and that we don’t need permission but are actually required to do so for our own good appeals to me. I have thought about it a lot in life but rarely put it into practice.
How many coffee tables, fine china sets, cars, and other stuff do we actually need in life?
Switter, I am finally catching up on the past few weeks of comments, so I'm so sorry it's taken me longer than I'd like to get back to you here -- but thank you for this! I love Wendell Berry, but haven't come across Sabbaths before...I will be checking it out asap.
Your comment also made me think of something I read about a while ago, about the ancient Hebrew concept of a Sabbath year in the seven-year agricultural cycle. It's called shmita, and it literally translates as "release." Thank you for helping me remember it, it's an idea (and practice) that I need to revisit much more often than I do 🙏
And every 7 x 7 years was the Year of Jubilee, when all debts were cancelled and all slaves were freed. No one was to live in debt or bondage forever. It’s an idea that would have transformed the world if it was practiced.
and you wonder what "our own good" actually means, right?
It means shut up, quit arguing with yourself about trying to do more work, stretch out on a lounge chair, and read a book.
I think plenty of us on Substack need this cue, thanks Candace 😊 I've always loved that culture in Europe, where shops and cafes close between 1 and 4pm each day for siesta too.... we could learn a lot 😃
Yes! I know how hard it is for me to build in time to rest in my own creative practice, so I had a feeling this might resonate here on Substack as well 😊 Thanks so much for your lovely comment, Vicki -- I'm so glad you enjoyed reading this 🤍
that's usually the time of day most people's eyes start slamming shut, right along with their brains. There's only so much work one can actually do efficiently before the mental blinds come down over the window.
So true!
Well goodness me. I asked for a sign and got a literal "sign," and from my very wise daughter. Someone just asked me, "How is your 'resting going?'" I smiled. "Well, I'm learning how to rest for the first time in my life. But, the greater pursuit is an inner state of rest. Rest on the inside." I'm going to print this off and place it on the frig. Thank you! Keep teaching me, Candace Rose.
"Rest on the inside." I just love that, Mom -- I know rest doesn't always come easy to either of us, but I hope we can both make big strides over the coming months in allowing ourselves the time and space to rest and reset 🤍🤍 love you!!
I think I needed to hear that right now. Thank you.
I'm so glad this story made its way to you at the right time, Patti -- thanks so much for reading and for letting me know it resonated with you 🤍✨
love this!
Thank you, Jessica! I'm waving hello from Antwerp today :) ✨
Hello from Geel!
We cancelled a trip to Victoria this week due to my grandma’s passing but I still kept my vacation days. We’ve stayed around home and I feel like I’m itching to do something but perhaps the need is not for plans but for rest. Thank you.
Amanda, I'm so sorry just to get back to you here, and I'm especially sorry to hear about your grandma's passing. A new friend of mine here in Antwerp just lost her grandmother over the weekend, and as I shared with her, I know how special grandmas are and what a hole they can leave behind in a family. Sending love and light to you and your family right now 🙏🤍
Thank you, Candace, for another beautiful post. I'm restacking and sharing this one.
Sue, I am finally catching up on the past few weeks of comments, so I'm sorry I haven't got back to you here sooner! But thank you so much for your beautiful words, and for sharing the story as well -- I'm so glad this resonated with you 🤍
Lovely word, too; Vakantie
Yes! I thought so as well, it's definitely one of my favorite words I've learned in Dutch so far.
Just lovely! 💫
Thank you, Trudi! ✨
Thanks for this sign. <3
I'm so glad this spoke to you, Rachel 🤍
A much needed reminder and permission for me today, thank you.
Thank you so much for reading, Renee, and for letting me know this spoke to you 🤍🤍
Sometimes we need a ‘sign’!! Thanks for the reminder!! 💪🏻🙏🏻🌈
Absolutely, Karen! I'm so glad this resonated with you 🤍✨