From Chapter 8: The Golden Rule, Stopping to Find a Center
Cease from what is necessary. Embrace that which gives life.
The key to this chapter is regaining life through Sabbath.
When choosing what to do on Sabbath or to add to the lifestyle of Sabbath, legalism or rules aren't as important as this: Is it something you create, or something that recreates you? Choose the re-creative think on Sabbath?
Sabbath is that one day. It is a reprieve from what you ought to do, even though the list of oughts is infinitely long and never done. Oughts are tyrants, noisy and surly, chronically dissatisfied. Sabbath is the day you trade places with them: they go in the salt mine, and you go out dancing. It's the one day when the only thing you must do is to not do the things you must. You are given permission-issued a command, to be blunt-to turn your back on all the those oughts.
I have a niece who's in an intense program in college. I recently found out that on Saturdays she works in the morning (so not school stuff, her must), then relaxes, and usually spends the evening with friends - no homework. She's on to something: she doesn't use Saturday to do the stuff she must do all week long. Sunday, she tries to gather with her church and then spends the rest of the day studying.
My Sabbath is normally Sunday afternoon to Monday afternoon. I intentionally do not check messages or emails in that 24 hour period. I try and read casually, not for study or church leadership. I try and do some physical activity - longer walk, floor hockey, etc. I normally do house/yard work (on the Monday not Sunday), which is not a must (deadline to teach it or meet with someone). Yard work actually re-creates me, b/c my mind is far away from other responsibilities.
What re-creates you?
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