One year ago this week I began my month-long sabbatical, summarized in this post. It was awesome. I still feel restored, energized, and eager to dig into life, relationships and work (most days).
Success was gained in large part due to my learning how to take smaller, one-day Sabbaths on a weekly basis. One must learn to walk before learning to run. Yesterday I learned of a mini-movement called www.SabbathManifesto.org, that, you guessed it, promotes taking a weekly day off. Just in time, too, as the “National Day of Unplugging 2011” begins at sundown on Friday, March 4, and runs through sundown Saturday, March 5. You can download the unplugging app here.
The Ten Principles of Unplugging, according to the site, are: Avoid technology. Spend time with loved ones. Nurture your health. Get outside. Avoid commerce. Light candles. Drink wine. Eat bread. Find silence. Give back.
In general, I love the spirit which supports my personal Sabbath principle: It’s not about what you avoid, it’s about what you pursue. In our frantic culture it takes a lot of effort to rest well. The biblical author of the New Testament book of Hebrews captured this struggle: “Strive to enter God’s rest” (verse 4:11).
I just hope they don’t unplug everything at sundown on Friday as I’ll be on a flight back to Orlando.
Rest well.