Wednesday, May 30, 2012

A Gift...and the Anxiety that Comes With It

I am one of those fortunate people whose vocation grants a time to step away.  I will, for the second time while serving this congregation, be receiving the gift of sabbatical.  For the next couple of months I will be out of my usual routine and be given time for rest and renewal...an especially timely gift considering our community just passed the one year anniversary of our tornado.

I can't say thank you enough for this gift.

And I'm exited about the promises of this time...
     the promise of rest (goal: 8 hours of sleep at night)
          the promise of health (goal: exercising again and making better
          eating choices)
               the promise of relationships (goal: time with family and
               friends)
                    the promise of renewal (goal: finding my center again)

But I am aware of the anxiety that comes with this gift...
     time will go too quickly
          I haven't set goals that many would say are either big or
          measurable...and might not even accomplish these
               even if I do great over sabbatical, will day 1 back at work
               throw my right back into unhealthy rhythms and bad
               boundaries?

And so, as I prepare to receive this gift (which begins June 1) I am eager...I am anxious...I am hopeful.

What healthy routines do you practice for self, for spirit, for family?
How do you defend your boundaries?