Rest as a Necessary Sanctuary

In moments of high stress and high stakes, it always seems that I must find something to do to relieve the pressure. If there is nothing I can do to ease the tension, then I must find something to occupy myself with, so that I feel as though I am alleviating the burden. One could argue that when there is nothing for me to accomplish, I act as what Saint Paul calls a mere busybody. After minimal reflection, one can quickly come to the conclusion that keeping oneself busy in times of stress allows one to feel as if they are solving problems. This is certainly the case with me. What happens when one cannot actually resolve the issues that are causing the stress? Once again, the instinct to stay busy often kicks in. It is clear that in these scenarios, what I must do is slow down and use the time I cannot spend solving problems to rest, despite the urge to act. I must rest, and I know I must rest because action is not possible.

This scenario is one that I am sure many encounter, and I do not seek to address this specific scenario now. Instead, I aim to explore a more complex dilemma. This conundrum arises when I am in a moment of high stress and high stakes, with many tasks demanding my attention, yet no opportunity for rest. How do I navigate this predicament? Do I push through and complete the myriad tasks without rest, or do I carve out time to rest at the expense of some responsibilities? Can I truly be productive without taking time to rejuvenate?

In such moments, the mind races, the heart pounds, and the weight of obligations feels almost unbearable. The conflict between the relentless drive to achieve and the undeniable need for rest creates a truly tumultuous inner struggle. It is in these critical junctures that one must carefully balance the scales, seeking a harmonious blend of action and repose. The question then becomes not just about managing tasks, but about nurturing oneself amidst the chaos, finding a way to sustain both productivity and well-being.

At this point, dear reader, if you are familiar with your writer's personality or with his work, you may laugh at his use of the word well-being. It is indeed very important to acknowledge the contemporary fixation on personal wellness and well-being, which has burgeoned into an almost obsessive preoccupation in modern society. This trend, while promoting some healthy practices, can oftentimes lead to an excessive focus on self-care to the detriment of productivity and responsibility. The pendulum swings too far, and the pursuit of balance itself becomes unbalanced. In this cultural milieu, the challenge lies in discerning genuine self-care from indulgent self-obsession, ensuring that our quest for well-being does not eclipse our drive to fulfill our duties and achieve our goals. Yet, in this reflection, I invite you to join me in contemplating the possibility that true efficacy might stem not from sheer perseverance but from a more nuanced understanding of our own limits and needs.

Consider, for instance, the metaphor of a finely tuned instrument. A cello, played without pause, will eventually fall out of tune, its strings stretched and strained until the music it produces becomes discordant. Similarly, the human mind and body, when driven to their utmost limits without respite, begin to falter, their capabilities diminishing under the strain. To achieve harmony in our endeavors, we must recognize the importance of intervals, of moments where we allow ourselves to rest, to recalibrate, and to regain our strength.

Thus, the dilemma I present is not merely about choosing between action and inaction, but about discerning the rhythm of our efforts. It is about finding those precious moments where a brief pause can lead to a surge of renewed energy, where a deliberate step back can propel us forward with greater vigor and clarity. In embracing this perspective, we do not forsake our ambitions; rather, we cultivate a sustainable approach to achieving them, one that honors both our aspirations, our well-being, and our future endeavors.

In this delicate dance between duty and what the modern world calls self-care, we may discover that our greatest achievements are born not from unyielding exertion, but from a balanced interplay of work and rest, of striving and replenishing. And in this balance, we may find a deeper, more enduring form of success, one that enriches our lives and allows us to thrive amidst the ever-present demands of our high-stakes world.


Do you know what sleep is? Do you know that every man who sleeps believes in God? It is a sacrament; for it is an act of faith and it is a food. And we need a sacrament, if only a natural one. (Chesterton, The Honour of Israel Gow)

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