Sunday, February 21, 2010

The Need for Renewal


I am a busy person, sometimes CRAZY busy. I'm pretty sure everyone feels this way, and I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing. I always say, I'd rather be busy than bored. I like knowing that I've been productive and seeing all that I have accomplished at the end of the day. However, sometimes, I say "yes" too many times, do too many things and end up tired, overworked, and somewhat discouraged as I look an my endless list of things "to do".

This is why I need renewal. Thankfully, this weekend has been filled with opportunities to do just that. I got to take two days off work and go to a literacy conference in Salt Lake, I went to a regional YSA temple day at the Salt Lake temple yesterday, and I am currently enjoying some much needed relaxation time.

As backwards as it seems on the surface, we sometimes need to stop and rest in order to be more productive later. Stephen R. Covey calls this "sharpening the saw." I call it remembering why I love all the things I do in the first place. To "renew" is literally to make something new again. We have "renewable resources" and plants that are renewed to life each spring.

This weekend has truly made me a new teacher, disciple, and individual. I like my students again, and I am amazed at how much more capable I feel. I'm ready to take on the world and whatever chaos may come my way. Oh, what a little rest can do.

So, take some time for YOU this week!

5 comments:

Paul and Susan said...

Good advice!

Jeff said...

I actually really like being bored. I like that feeling of knowing that my time is totally free. Even if I don't know what to fill it with. I like to keep my saw very sharp. :)

Robyn said...

I call this time the February slump. Just about all the teachers I know feel a bit zapped and ready to call it quits by the end of Feb. I think your idea to become renewed is a great idea. Maybe I will be able to breathe a little easier after conferences.

Brenda said...

I know exactly how you feel. I spend so much time doing homework and keeping myself busy all week that I have no choice but to take time for myself on the weekend. Although I need to tell myself that I'm doing it for me and not just procrastinating everything that I still need to do. An hour taken for yourself saves five hours of you wasting your time, knowing you should be doing something else.

So sometime I want to come down and we should all go to a session together. Me, you, Emily, Amy and Danielle. I don't know if it is possible for us to all coordinate our schedules, but it would be amazing!

Jared W. said...

It is important to take time for yourself. I feel really good about your renewal. You just keep rockin' it. I make sure and take 'me' time just about everyday.