Friday, August 19, 2011

Life and Energy

Life is the spending and replenishing of energy.  - The Rhythm of Life, Matthew Kelly

Kelly says energy is our most valuable resource, we don't need more time, we need more energy......after dealing with illness for quite some time, I have to agree with him.  Everyone I talk with, seems burned out....well other than my husband Rick, who is retired and mostly fly fishes and writes.

True, I constantly hear people say things about wishing for more hours in the day......but in the scheme of things, I think it does come down to our energy, how we spend it, how we waste it.  We multi task, we overload,
and still think and scheme about how  to do more.  No wonder we numb our bodies and minds with drugs and alcohol!  If energy is our most valuable resource, do we think about how we spend it?  Do we think about how to restore it?  Not only do we waste our personal energy, but we waste the planet's as well, seemingly with no thoughts about replenishing  or saving.

The doctor told me to rest this weekend, how rarely do I do that, how rarely do any of us do that?  My infection is finally gone, but with no rest, no restoration of energy.......I could be right back where I was in no time.  Sobering thought, and scary as hell.

So this energy what to do, how to save and replenish?  Simple basics,  good nourishing food, lots of water,
some movement, some rest,  productive work, time with friends and family, doing something you love(even if you can't make a living at it).   The really sad news, we are teaching our kids, to expend their energy constantly, they go to school, sports, activities,  they hit burn out before they are teens.  Fast food, fast lives,
no sleep,  you can't keep spending  and not replenish, not save a little every once in a while.

I have given much thought to my energy consumption these last few months.......where I spend it, who I spend it with, and how I spend it.  I learned several years ago to avoid those who "vex the spirit", but really there are energy robbers out there too......who will  take all you have and never look back.  Now, I am trying to avoid those as well.  I am way choosier about when and where I teach these days,  about doing the things I love, and spending time with people who help to restore my energy.  I am way past working on relationships, I offer my love, and all that I can......you accept or not.

Believe it or not, I seem to have more time these days....... to see friends, to play music, to enjoy the good.
Yes, there are moments when I think.....oh no, not enough time and then I think.....since creation.....a day is a day, a night is a night......my choice on how to spend them, my choice on spend  or replenish my energy.
Energy.....spend wisely, and save for a rainy day.


8 comments:

  1. Jilda, thank you for some very wise and insightful thoughts today. Now I need to work on putting them into practice.

    Hugs~

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  2. I can remember when my girls where little being told by the doctor to rest and take it easy and I would think to myself how the bloody hell do you think I am going to do that I have a family to take care of.....and even now days I find I do not have the time to rest as much as I should and lately I am feeling so very run down and worn out but rest is something that is not going to happen as I just do not have the time to rest what I really need is to get away for a bit.

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  3. I think it's great that you are in control of your energy spending! I do hope you do have a restful weekend though - you've been ill and need to get better!! :-)

    Take care
    x

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  4. Very wise words indeed today my friend, and I'm glad that you seem to have more time these days, to do the IMPORTANT things in life. Life really does rush by so very quickly these days. Family and friendships are so important and we must never forget to nurture them and never to be too busy for those important things.

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  5. Well your energy may be low but your wisdom sure isn't. And yes, it sure would be nice to see a child play something because they loved playing it and not because it came with a wire or was chic.

    I hear you are taking up emergency care giving? :)
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  6. I agree with Jules that your energy might be low but your wisdom is not my friend. That was a very good post today and we are so lucky to be able to receive valuable insight from your blog. Thanks & have a wonderful weekend.
    Odie

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  7. Such a good point, and one that makes a lot of sense. We all have the same amount of time, yet some of us seem to be so much more adept at spending it wisely than others.

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  8. I always think I need to have something "get done"..or something to show for my time each day. If I want to sit and read I say I'm being lazy..not really true. We live in an age where we have every convenience to make life easier but we run ourselves into the ground. Unfortunately we have to get ill and be told to slow down before we understand that it's OK to rest. Have a restful and fun weekend Jilda!

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