I have this internal struggle going on over “rest” days. I get it. For the last year, as people have discussed my everyday commitment with me, they have all told me how important it is to take a break. Take a day off, let yourself rest. I believe I get the reasons why this is a good idea, but I have resisted. Not because I am being a macho idiot, but because being all in on a commitment is a whole lot easier when you do not have a choice in the matter. Everyday is Everyday. Rest days become excuses. They start as one day and then they grow to 2, then 3 and next you have blown the habit.
The ancient Hebrews were probably right, but they were not the only ones. I spent an afternoon once reading every source I could on the concept of sabbath and where it came from. I learned quite a bit, and have since been looking at other aspects of cultural significance in letting things rest as part of the normal course of life. As it turns out there are patterns in life that follow a cycle of growth and rest, and are actually pretty important. I have some rose bushes out front of my house. Winter is here and now that we are heading into the early spring time I need to cut them way back. When the warmth of spring comes, the roses will grow rapidly after having a season of dormancy and rest. The young black bear, who after hibernating all winter will start to poke his nose out into the air sniffing for food and once he has crawled from his den, will explode on to the scene with a wild appetite. He will grow rapidly in a short period of time, gaining strength, size and weight.
The Hebrews had Sabbat, but other cultures have similar and in remarkably the same pattern. Less nomadic groups of people with agriculture at their core tend to also have similar traditions, most likely rooted in the concept of letting fields lie fallow for a season. Resting, as it seems, is part of who we are as a people. If I am not mistaken, I think almost every major religion has some sort of periodic rest period built into their system of religion. Fascinating really.
So this is a long way of trying to convince myself that resting is actually a good idea. That I need to build that into my implementation of habit forming with as much intensity as I have other aspects. As the science of health and nutrition have proven, adequate rest increases longevity, encourages growth of muscle groups, reduces fatigue and prevents injury. So I am sitting here fretting all day, because I decided to take a day off, attempt to relax. Not working out very well, btw. I guess I now understand why there were always punishments affixed to people who violated the day of rest! So here I am, venturing off into this world of taking the advice of people that have been telling me to rest, at least from intense physical exercise.
The earliest time in recorded history that I can find of a social requirement for rest, was a Persian system over 5000 years ago. Perhaps, ancient society’s figured a few things out that we should take lesson from. So I am going to stop fighting it and require myself to rest once a week. That does not mean that I am taking a break from everything. There are some commitments that will remain everyday!
Guy Reams
365 Alumni
92 Days Left to 1st Marathon
