Hello everyone,
After returning from Washington state I spent the last week focusing on rest and family. I really put forth some effort to ensure I was getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night and be intentional with my efforts to avoid any activity too strenuous as well as make time for naps. I also spent a fair chunk of my time fishing as I have always found this activity a perfect medium for relaxation and meditation. As easy as all of that sounds I would be lying to you if I said I have not struggled. The first half of my Sabbatical has been filled with so much activity that there was not a whole lot of down time where I was beside myself and now that I am spending the majority of my time alone it has really taken me out of my comfort zone, but also opened up an opportunity for exploring my thoughts and feelings. When I first heard Sabbatical testimonials, there was almost some humor in the testimonies describing the awkwardness and power of a month long Sabbatical, but now I think I am starting to understand the true meaning behind those individual descriptions and have been able to use this time to come to terms with some personal struggles.
As for family, my immediate family lives here in Abilene, but whether it be fatigue or laziness I have not been successful in giving them the attention they deserve. It would be easy to blame time spent with work for falling short in this area of my life, but personally I know it is a failure that I have created and so this Sabbatical has been a massive blessing in clearing aside any excuse I have previously manipulated. Throughout this Sabbatical I have been able to spend meaningful time with my parents and brother and not just give them the usual hello goodbye while I prioritize the rush of life over their relationships. I am also fortunate to have my maternal grandmother living in Abilene, having recently moved here from the metroplex. She has been another recipient of my time during this Sabbatical and every opportunity to spend time with her is a joy. I have always been guilty of trying to solve any problem presented to me regardless of whether it affects me and while that can be a wonderful quality it is also quite taxing on my mental and physical health. I know it is not feasible to help everyone you love with every issue they face, but I will always try and this Sabbatical has helped me come to terms with this in the form of clairvoyance and the opportunity to give more than I normally would be able.
The focus of this week has been concluding my book studies and winding down from a month away from work to gear up for my return Friday. My last blog post will entail what I have learned from the book studies and Sabbatical as whole.
Take care,
JZ