This past weekend my body decided to shut down, well, almost. I couldn’t figure out which part was unwell or whether I was coming down with flu or something. Yes, going to the doctor is always the last resort for me and I know you all relate. I tried to wake up at the usual time but the body would have none of it. I should point out that I still wake up early even on weekends, thanks to my parents who deprived us of our sleep when we were young. We would wake up early, clean and make the first cup of five roses by sunrise.
So as I tried to rise, my body defied the culture I so religiously uphold. I had to listen and only managed to drag it out of bed at midday. I am thankful for my sister who agreed to babysit at her house because even after waking up I still felt very weak.
This got me thinking. I was fatigued. We work very hard in this world and the world teaches us that there is no other way. As a result, we get preoccupied with results and forget to take care of the very resource that brings us those results, our bodies. At the time given so graciously to us by God to rest, we would rather drink Red Bull and gain wings to work more to the detriment of our bodies.
One question to ponder on; what use are those results to you when your body decides to shut down?
Please ask yourself the following questions before you overwork yourself:
1. Is it a life and death situation?
2. Will the world crumble if I don’t do it now?
If the answer is no to both, please be nice to your body and rest.
The world preaches what it preaches to suck you dry. They are only interested in what you have to offer, which you can only do in a healthy state. Once you are incapacitated, like a gum that has lost its flavour, the world will spit you out and get a fresh one.
In short, be wise. Rest or rest in peace!
- Comment
- Reblog
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
onamphela 
Wow, beautiful piece. Thank you for this powerful reminder. indeed we need to rest. Even our Creator commanded us to rest (the Sabbath).
Welcome Vickie! Hokotsa bo super woman dear friend
Its true that the world wants what you offer and then spit you out. That’s why its very important to do it for yourself, not the world. I’m 1 of those that don’t “rest much”. Why don’t i rest much? It’s really about realizing that i have a finite life and making a conscious decision to spend it pursuing causes that i truly care about. I don’t rest much because i’m well aware of the work that it will take to get those things done on the limited life that i have been given. Not only don’t i want to, but i can’t afford to spend a big chunk of my single lifespan resting while what i believe to be my life’s purpose is on a standstill. Someone once opined that “find what makes you happy and then let it kill you”. My life’s work makes me happy and i couldn’t think of a better way to die than through the pursuit of what makes me want to get up every morning and look forward to. So yes, my life’s work is in fact a matter between life and death. Of course our biological make up requires us to have some rest as much as it requires us to have something to eat, so i make sure i oblige with nature laws so i don’t drop dead, but anything more than what my biological make up requires can’t easily be granted. Natural laws first for survival, purpose 2nd because you are here for a reason and everything else on the remainder.
Well said. It is of essence that you do not abuse your body in your quest for success.