Rhythm is the swing of a pendulum. Rhythm is time spent filling up in order to spend time pouring out. Resting to work. Abiding that expresses itself in fruitfulness.
I’ve established a new rhythm over the past several weeks – getting up early (with a smile — I am committed to joy, after all), reading the Bible, writing my reflections, posting them on the blog. I greet the dawn. I greet my kids as they awake. I’ve enjoyed it. It has shaped who I am for the day ahead.
The whole point of healthy rhythm is a healthy life. Healthy rhythms give us the space to attend to what is important. Healthy rhythms are easily sustainable. Healthy rhythms are able to be easily imitated.
Yesterday morning at my new wake up time, I was still laying in bed thanks to a major head cold and a restless night. And I was feeling the pressure of having to get up and write a blog post.
This is not something I want you to imitate. If you’re sick, you are allowed to rest. You need to rest. THAT is healthy rhythm. Don’t make it worse by getting up or by feeling guilty for not getting up. The internet will survive without you for a couple days.
It was especially silly in my case since what I was feeling the pressure to post were the daily Bible readings that are available to everyone by email every morning. I was feeling guilty for not doing something that the Moravians are already doing. I encourage you to click this link to sign up to have the Bible texts delivered daily directly to your inbox.
Here’s to healthy rhythms!
Good Shepherd! 