24 weeks: Learning to rest

Self-portrait, 24 weeks, Canon Digital Rebel XSi

As part of my commitment to Dream Lab this summer, I have been taking my sabbath time really seriously. By sabbath, I don't mean a traditional religious sabbath, but more a conscious practice of rest, of turning off the gadgets, of getting outside, of crawling into bed when my body needs it. I have been taking the opportunity of this pregnancy to rest more, to play more and to have a real summer. It has been an enormous gift. I didn't realize the deficit of fun I was experiencing until I consciously stopped, got off the treadmill, and heard what my spirit needed most. (Turns out what I needed most was to play, to see friends, to share meals with people I love)

"Our culture invariably supposes that action and accomplishment is better than rest, that doing something--anything--is better than doing nothing. Because of our desire to succeed, to meet these ever-growing expectations, we do not rest. Because we do not rest, we lose our way. We miss the compass points that would show us where to go, we bypass the nourishment that would give us succor. We miss the quiet that would give us wisdom. We miss the joy and love born of effortless delight. Poisoned by this hypnotic belief that good things come only through unceasing determination and tireless effort, we can never truly rest. And for want of rest, our lives are in danger."
-Wayne Muller, from his gorgeous book Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives

I will be leaving in a couple of days for my annual Lovebomb trip to the Oregon coast. I can't think of a better place for rest and play than the beach... And if you are in Dream Lab, Jen and I will be sending transmissions from there!

erfect*

erfect, Brooklyn, NY, photo by Matthea Harvey

I got the above photo and this email from my friend Matthea Harvey today... It was, in a word, erfect.

"I came across this sign in Brooklyn, walking home one day, and since then, have been striving for "erfect" instead of "perfect."

I Believe She's Amazing

This video is part of an incredible project called I Believe She's Amazing. You can read more here and add someone you love to the list of amazing women you know. You might need Kleenex for this one.