I’ve been out of step, out of commission the past few weeks. I was incredibly ill over Easter weekend, had to cancel family events and it took my body a week to recover. I also was preoccupied with taking the medical board exam this week, a once in a decade test to maintain my license. My usual pattern of writing and blogging fell out of rhythm for the first time in two years.

I’m hoping to refocus, regain some footing now that I have other distractions behind me. Writing is essential to my life, my own self-care and purpose. I’ve been thinking a lot about rhythms of life, what is nourishing and essential, how different stages can be taxing in familiar ways.

Each month this year I’ve focused on a different area of personal growth. April is dedicated to the Sabbath, that sacred space of rest. I’ve always struggled with the concept of Sabbath and today’s nonstop rush of a world feeds into my tendency of devotion to productivity, to my To Do List, to my ambitions. I’m reading Wayne Muller’s “Sabbath“, which is a call to incorporating a rhythm of rest.

This may seem contrary to what I just wrote, about needing to re-establish my focus on writing, on my rigid rhythms. But I don’t think they’re actually incongruous, this need for structure, this necessity of rest. I want to avoid being legalistic about my schedule, but I also find comfort in boundaries, in a steady rhythm. Life brings so much unexpected upheaval. I don’t think it’s disingenuous to find peace in a plan that provides structure, that carves out time for that which is nourishing, which is restful.

What are your thoughts on rest? What rhythms of life do you find helpful or limiting? I will continue to explore this idea of Sabbath, but also return to my rhythms of writing in the hope that I’ll find peace both in learning to rest and in work that brings me fulfillment.