Category: Inspiration

My sons’ high school has a great tradition: about a month before the end of year exams, the whole class clocks out and goes on retreat to a big old house in the country with several of the teachers. There they eat, play footy, share stories, and generally hang out. Although my initial reaction to the idea was to stress out – “So close to exams? Shouldn’t they be studying?” – in fact, it was a very sensible initiative which enhanced the boys’ confidence, mood, and, very likely, academic outcomes.
The reason is the same reason that, in the academic world, professors can take a full year’s sabbatical – physically removing yourself from work helps you gain a fresh perspective, and can actually make you do your job better when you return. Taking a break lets you replenish yourself emotionally, physically, spiritually and intellectually. A study published in The Journal of Experimental Social Psychology confirms this: researchers found that when workers put physical distance between themselves and a problem – even just walking to another floor or going to get a glass of water – their anxiety levels dropped and the odds of them solving a problem doubled.
Of course, most of us can’t spend 12 months in Lake Como recharging our batteries (I wish …), but we can be mindful about consciously disconnecting from everyday life at appropriate times. For example, insist that at least Sundays are free from work-related activities, such as checking emails. Setting and honouring that boundary carves out much-needed time to reset your intentions for the week; plus, it sends a strong message to your subconscious that you are deserving of this safe, quiet space in which to think, rest, and play.
From a newsleeter from Pamela Allardice

This is SO worth listening to!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbU5IZR2rLQ

I see all too many examples that validate this meme.

These are not abilities of the piece of grey matter between our ears but rather properties of the being.

Many years ago, a newlywed young man was sitting on a couch on a hot, humid day, sipping frozen juice during a visit to his father. As he talked about adult life, marriage, responsibilities, and obligations, the father thoughtfully stirred the ice cubes in his glass and cast a clear, sober look on his son.
“Never forget your friends,” he advised, “they will become more important as you get older.” “Regardless of how much you love your family and the children you happen to have, you will always need friends. Remember to go out with them occasionally, do activities with them, call them …”
“What strange advice!” Thought the young man. “I just entered the married world, I am an adult and surely my wife and the family that we’ll start will be everything I need to make sense of my life.” Yet annually he increased the number and obeyed his father, and kept in touch with his friends. Over the years, he became aware that his father knew what he was talking about.
In as much as time and nature carry out their designs and mysteries on a man, friends were the bulwarks of his life. After 50 years of life, here is what he learned:
Time passes.
Life goes on.
The distance separates.
Children grow up.
Children cease to be children and become independent. And for the parents it breaks the heart but the children are separated of the parents.
Jobs come and go.
Illusions, desires, attraction, sex … weaken.
People do not do what they should do.
The heart breaks.
The parents die.
Colleagues forget the favours.
The races are over.
But, true friends are always there, no matter how long or how many miles they are apart.
A friend is never more distant than the reach of a need, barring you, intervening in your favour, waiting for you with open arms or blessing your life.
When we started this adventure called LIFE, we did not know of the incredible joys or sorrows that were ahead. We did not know how much we would need from each other. Love your parents, take care of your children, but keep a group of good friends. Dialogue with them but do not impose your criteria.
Refer this text to all your friends who help make sense in your life …