Take Time to Rest and Reflect
The world around us moves at a dizzying pace. At times, it presses in with its endless demands and constant motion. The world inside us can become just as busy. Have you noticed how quickly your mind jumps from one thought to the next?
Many people today feel exhausted and overwhelmed, deeply needing time to pause and rest. Sometimes we must make a conscious choice to slow down and take care of ourselves.
Back in the old days—the 1950s and '60s—we used to gather around our black-and-white TVs to watch popular shows. There were no remote controls then. We stayed put, watching an entire program from start to finish. One of those shows was I Love Lucy. Lucy and her friend Ethel were always getting into mix-ups, and the scenes were hilariously funny.
In one memorable episode, Lucy and Ethel are working in a chocolate factory. Their job is to wrap each candy as it arrives on a conveyor belt. At first, it's simple—one chocolate at a time. But then the belt speeds up. Soon, candies are flying at them faster than they can keep up. In a panic, they start stuffing chocolates in their mouths, hats, and clothing. We laughed so hard at the chaos.
At the time, it seemed like pure comedy. But years later, our own lives aren’t so different from that conveyor belt. And we’re not laughing quite as much. Life keeps speeding up. We feel the pressure to keep up, to do more, to cram everything in. We multi-task, overfill our schedules, and try to manage an ever-growing list of responsibilities.
Beyond the pace of life, we’re living in a time of deep uncertainty and global crises. So much is out of our control. But some things remain within your reach: how you spend your time, and how you care for your essential needs.
This summer, you may need deep rest. Not just sleep, but real rest—of the body, mind, and spirit. If you don’t create time for rest, your health and relationships may begin to suffer. You may feel persistently tired or burned out, or sense something important is missing. And indeed, something is missing when you don’t pause to reflect on how life is unfolding or tend to what truly matters to you.
Taking time for deep rest is an act of self-respect.
It’s a way of saying: I matter. My well-being matters.
So step back. Take a break. Be kind to yourself.
All my life, I’ve had to manage a busy mind and a full schedule. Perhaps you have too. Over the years, I’ve learned to meditate and spend time in quiet reflection. These practices have become essential to my well-being.
Give yourself permission to do less. Set healthy limits. Let go of the voices of “must” and “should.”
Rest is nourishment—for your body, mind and your soul.
What will your rest look like?
Will you sit by a lake or waterfall… read a good book… lie in a hammock… turn off your phone… or walk among trees…?
In order to do less, sometimes you have to say “no” to what drains you.
Try meditating regularly, or embrace a practice that helps you find stillness and silence. Even just a few minutes a day can become a precious gift—a small but powerful investment in your well-being. In stillness, you may rediscover the calm and peace you long for. This inner peace is not only healing—it restores your energy.
Here are a few questions to reflect on this summer:
What do I value most at this stage in my life?
Is there something that needs more attention?
How is rest helping me reconnect with myself?
Notice what begins to shift when you rest and reflect.
Spending time in quiet this summer will nourish you deeply. You’ll be honouring a real need: to rest your body, calm your mind, and feed your soul.
Take time to be still.
Take time to rest.
I wish you a peaceful and contented summer.
Warm wishes,
Brenda
p.s. To watch the Lucy show, please click: Lucy’s Famous Chocolate Scene. You may find yourself laughing out loud.