Many years ago, a friend gave me a small article entitled “Learn to Rest.” I am happy to offer you a short segment here for your consideration as the last frenzied days of holiday preparation move us ever more quickly to action.

“In response to the question – What is worth doing and what is worth having? I would like to say simply this. It is worth doing nothing and having a rest; in spite of all the difficulty it may cause, you must rest. Otherwise you will become RESTLESS! I believe the world is sick with exhaustion and dying of restlessness. While it is true that believe the world is sick with exhaustion and dying of restlessness. While it is true that periods of weariness help the spirit to grow, the prolonged, ongoing state of fatigue, to which our world seems to be rapidly adapting, is ultimately soul-destroying. The ecology of evil flourishes and love cannot take root in this sad situation. Tiredness is one of our strongest, most noble and instructive feelings. It is an important aspect of conscience and must be heeded or else we will not survive. When you are tired you MUST rest like the trees and animals do…” -Michael Leunig

Offer to take a nap with someone you love. Just lie down and listen to the silence, drift off to sleep with the scent of someone dear nearby. I guarantee there is little out there at the mall that you will remember nearly as well as this sweet time standing still.

For this holiday season, feel your noble tiredness. Experience the dark, cold stillness of the world as our ancestors did before they invented Christmas lights, sleep more. I can guarantee you that offering this part of your psyche space with a generous heart will repay you and those you love with a depth of caring and understanding that is simply not available at the store. I am going to take my own advice too. Sweet dreams.