I've been a bit of a slacker lately. Besides the obvious 2 month vacation from work, I haven't managed to post much since we got back from our trip. I think I might just still be somewhat on vacation; is it possible to be kind of on vacation? If so, I would probably fit the bill. It is coming up on 8:00 the the evening here in KC and despite going to a massage, I didn't ever get dressed today, unless you count changing out of my pj's to go for a run. Now, before you start badgering me, I did clean out the pantry today, I just didn't see the point in wearing presentable clothing for that, a massage, and a five mintute trip to a second-hand store to sell a pair of shoes.
Ok, so, maybe I am being a little lazy. One of the things I have come to realize is that a little laziness is good for the soul. Why else would vacations be so important and rejuvinating? I was the kid who beat themself up for only getting a 98% on the test growing up. After all that self-mutilation, I've learned a few things. One of the most important ones is that you have to take care of yourself and part of that is taking it easy, even if it means shamelessly spending the day in what appears to be your pj's. You'd do it too, if you could!
Truthfully, I might not have left the house today, except for my run, if I hadn't had a massage this afternoon. I started getting regular massages about a year ago. One of the things that amazes me is that most Americans don't recognize how important massages are for wellness. Another of the things I have learned in my short 30 years is that a regular massage might be as important as, say, taking a shower, getting exercise, or cleaning your house. The great part about it is not only does it feel good, it's the laziest way to do something healthy!
I know that some of you, at this point, think I'm a nutcase, (Some of you probably already thought that about me, and, well, you might be right.) but I am being completely serious that relaxation and massage are important for both body and spirit.
As important as those are, the biggest revelation I've had lately occurred while opening the fridge today. I have no idea what lead up to the thought, but a light bulb went on over my head today when I was putting something in the fridge. No, it wasn't the the light in the fridge, either. It occurred to me in a cataclysmic way that prayer and meditation are as important to the human spirit, and, therefore, wellness, as say, brushing and flossing are to our dental health. I had this sudden thought of how relaxing it is to take time out each day to spend with God. It was an immediate and complete understanding if for only an instant that taking time for God would help ease tension and center me on those things that really are important. As a try to write about this, I realize that it is not something that I did not already know, it is simply the weightiness of it that is new to me. I am struggling to put into words what made this a new revelation, but for that one instant I couldn't imagine starting a day without God; it was a complete shift in my thinking that may not effect my outward actions, but will certainly have consequences for my inner self.
So, it turns out that being a slacker, while not only important, can actually pay off. I had a huge revelation while standing in my kitchen wearing my pj's at 1:00 in the afternoon today! Too bad I can't spend the day in my pj's tomorrow; the sidewalk sales in Lawrence, Kansas are calling. It's my favorite shopping event of the year!