Dear Colleagues and Friends,

Christians, Jews and Muslims share the view of creation over 6 days. The Bible acknowledges that God rested on the 7^th day and this is reflected in the lives of many Christians who worship and rest on a Sunday.  In Judaism a rest day is marked from Friday evening through to Saturday to celebrate Shabbat, with many religiously observant Jewish people marking this as a strict non-work day. In Islam, Friday isn’t a designated rest day, but is marked by many Muslims as a day of piety with Friday worship at the mosque followed by the weekend. In other dharmic traditions the concept of Dhyana means contemplation and meditation.

Like many who work in schools, I have never been particularly good at taking breaks and time out!  However, last week a colleague told me something I hadn’t heard before – there are apparently 7 types of rest. I was intrigued and it set me researching and thinking. I found out that the different types of rest include physical, mental and social rest; spiritual rest, sensory, emotional and creative rest. Some types of rest even include ‘doing things’ which appeals to me.

So, this weekend I made a plan ‘to do’ some rest. Spending time in the beauty of nature falls under the description of creative rest so, I took to a track that overlooks the Trent bank and enjoyed time listening to birds and seeing the signs of spring emerging and that set me thinking some more!

Spring is the time when nature re-emerges in all its brilliance from the stark and dowdiness of winter. The secrets of spring are beautifully described in this hymn by Natalie Sleeth.

‘In the bulb there is a flower;

In the seed, an apple tree;

In cocoons, a hidden promise;

butterflies will soon be free!

In the cold and snow of winter

There’s a spring that waits to be

Unrevealed until its season

Something God alone can see.’

You may like to listen to the full hymn here. In the Bulb There is a Flower - Bing video

We are the same, we need rest so we can renew, refresh and be reinvigorated in our daily life and work. Rest in all its forms can lead to increased productivity, new ideas and increased motivation.

So, this week I urge you to plan some time for one of the forms of rest and don’t feel guilty.  Know that by ‘doing’ rest you will have renewed energies and refreshed ideas for the work ahead of you.

Have a great week!

The 7 types of rest that every person needs | (ted.com)

from June Richardson, Schools Effectiveness Advisor