This week, I began my new editing job by getting into a novel on track to be published in 2012.
To prepare, I read three novels, two of which were by other authors in the same genre to get a sense of the “rules” of the genre. The other was the first book in the series. I don't know about you, but three novels in a week is a lot for me (although I'm not whining about getting paid to read).
On top of that I blogged every day. I led canopy tours at the zipline company where I work. I hosted my parents for three days. I put the finishing touches on an ebook I'm working on. I answered dozens of comments and hundreds of emails.
Yada yada yada. You get the picture. It was a busy week.
There's always so much to do.
Sometimes, it can feel like there's too much to do.
Definitely too much to justify taking a day off. No computer? No email? No work? Are you stupid?
Six days a week we work. We write, we edit, and we do those millions of little things that demand our attention.
One day a week, we say no. We don't give into demands. We stop.
Why? As Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel said, “The world has already been created and will survive without the help of man. The world has our hands, but our soul belongs to Someone Else.”
You stop because there will always be more work to do. You will never have enough time. Work is a given. You stop because the world has your hands. But the deepest parts of your being don't belong to the world.
Joe, this is a fantastic post. Obviously God was onto something when He rested on the 7th day.
Thanks Jim 🙂
Joe, this is a fantastic post. Obviously God was onto something when he rested on the 7th day.
Thanks Jim 🙂
Joe, really appreciated reading this post. With a major surgery scheduled for Thursday, I’ve been feeling the pressure of getting LOTS done before then. I feel guilty if I give into my pain and stop and rest, but you made me realize that I can stop and not feel guilty. There will always be lots to do! Thanks for quoting Rabbi Heschel; that’s a great quote.
Absolutely, Sherrey. I pray that your surgery goes well.
Joe, really appreciated reading this post. With a major surgery scheduled for Thursday, I’ve been feeling the pressure of getting LOTS done before then. I feel guilty if I give into my pain and stop and rest, but you made me realize that I can stop and not feel guilty. There will always be lots to do! Thanks for quoting Rabbi Heschel; that’s a great quote.
Absolutely, Sherrey. I pray that your surgery goes well.
Fantastic post here–and so true! It’s easy to forget to take a break when you have work piling up on all sides, but you’re right–there will always be more work to do no matter what.
Thank you Ava. And it’s interesting, taking breaks can actually make you MORE productive.
Sometimes it really does. 🙂
Fantastic post here–and so true! It’s easy to forget to take a break when you have work piling up on all sides, but you’re right–there will always be more work to do no matter what.
Thank you Ava. And it’s interesting, taking breaks can actually make you MORE productive.
Sometimes it really does. 🙂
Wow. It’s amazing how directly this addresses my fears and concerns today. That Someone is clearly trying to get my attention. 😉
Wow. It’s amazing how directly this addresses my fears and concerns today. That Someone is clearly trying to get my attention. 😉
Excellent post, Joe.
A severe health challenge taught me that THE only thing that matters is the quality of my relationships; the quality of relationship I have with myself as well as with others. Everything else is secondary and everything else can wait.
I try to keep this in focus even though my mind pulls me to dwell on the busyness and umpteen things I need to do.
I love that “the deepest parts of (my) being (doesn’t) belong to the world” as you mention in your post.
Thanks.
Mmm… I needed this reminder today. Thank you Marianne.
Excellent post, Joe.
A severe health challenge taught me that THE only thing that matters is the quality of my relationships; the quality of relationship I have with myself as well as with others. Everything else is secondary and everything else can wait.
I try to keep this in focus even though my mind pulls me to dwell on the busyness and umpteen things I need to do.
I love that “the deepest parts of (my) being (doesn’t) belong to the world” as you mention in your post.
Thanks.
Mmm… I needed this reminder today. Thank you Marianne.