04 July 2012

IWSG: Is 'Rest' A Four Letter Word?

  Happy Independence Day!  Fireworks, anyone?

Have a safe, fun-filled holiday :}


Welcome back!  Today is the first Wednesday in July, so it's time for our latest installments of Insecure Writer's Support Group, hosted by Alex Cavanaugh. 


I've heard my share of four letter words, I mean, really!  I was raised by sailors.  Ha.  But I'll bet there's one dirty little word lurking in your vocabulary that you find abhorrent!  A word so vile, so gruesome it leaves a lasting, bitter taste in your mouth just to utter the single wretched syllable.  What ever can it be? 

R.E.S.T.

That's right!  REST.  As an American - a type-A personalitied American who is extremely driven and task oriented - I tend to allow the challenge of the next hill to immediately replace the one I 've just scaled.  I'm excited to keep going, to conquer, to win, to achieve.  I love the sense of accomplishment completing a project ushers in. 

Then why don't I sit back and enjoy it? 





Good question.  I've been wondering on this myself.  And then it hit me!  I look at rest like a dirty, four-lettered, vile thing that will sap my ambition and steal my gumption.  I have allowed my Americanized thought patterns to confuse rest with laziness. 

The truth is we all need rest to recharge our imaginations.  I need that quiet time to let new ideas brew and ferment.  I found myself giving this advice a few times over the last week to others - but failing to take it myself.  So when I formulated my goals for the new ROW80, I kept this in mind.  I need to rest.  This summer is going to be my 'resting round'.  I'll write nearly every day.  I'll begin edits, revisions, typing...all those things that are on my 'exciting summits to scale' goals list.  But I'll do it at a slower pace.  No huge deadline looming over my head this round.  No pressure.  Just enjoyment.

Summertime is so fleeting.  I want to wring every last drop of glorious sandy-covered-goodness out of these weeks before the busy-ness of life intrudes on this 12 week haven.  All are welcome to climb aboard!   I want to look at the trees, feel the breeze against my skin, catch fireflies, and float in the pool as my boys beg me to watch 'the Navy Seal Swim'  or the 'Back-Flip-Into-The-Pool' (just one more time, Mom!)...to savor the lazy days of summer with my boys.  R.E.S.T.  Hmmm.  It does have a certain little ring to it...


Have A Great July, Insecure Writers -

 ~ Nadja

19 comments:

  1. I enjoy my moments of rest. I'll push my writing and goals aside and savor a trip and quiet moments at home.

    You have the right idea.

    Happy 4th of July.

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    1. Terrific. We all need those moments to sit back and enjoy life. Happy 4th to you too!

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  2. R - rejuvenate
    E - energize
    S - savor
    T - the moment

    Yeah, rest can be a good thing, even for the driven :-)

    Have a wonderful Fourth of July!

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    1. Love that! Hope you have a fun filled day. I'll check out your guest post later...I couldn't get the page to load earlier. ?? Sometimes I don't understand my computer...Grr. lol.

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  3. Oh, now you've almost hypnotised me with this post - I'm going to punctuate it with a long hot shower and food/wine/TV veg-fest. Excellent.

    PS: Not only am I a fellow ROWer, but now I'm signed up on the IWSG too. First post up now. I like to be where the best people congregate - guilt (or talent) by associate - Please :) X

    http://shahwharton.com/

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    1. Hmmm...that wine sounds like a smashing idea. Ha! Maybe later...on my patio. I did just purchase an outdoor tea light chandelier (at Kmart for $12.25 - Gah!) I'd better put it to good use tonight. lol. Glad you joined up with IWSG.

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  4. I love the notion of this.....Summer is indeed fleeting (and sadly doesn't seem to have reached the UK yet!) and it is wonderful to stop and smell the freshly cut grass. I do love that writing each day is still on the agenda...inspiring!

    Take care and have a great week!

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    1. Summer and fall are my favorite seasons...I need to enjoy the nice weather while it lasts here! :}

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  5. Summer does tend to be the universal rest period. Whether it remains as such or blurs into the realm of the Marty Feldman designated dirty word, lazy, is up to the individual. There's nothing wrong with some good R&R and quality family time. Just don't fall into the norm of doing absolutely nothing. Enjoy the 4th!
    Julius

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    1. Ever keeping your eye on me, Jules! Thanks :} I need it!

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  6. Fantastic post! I definitely harbor a Puritan work ethic but summer is my favorite season, so I need to remember to soak it up and not fret if my WIP doesn't progress as fast as I want it to. I'm always encouraging my psychotherapy clients to rest more and maybe I should take my own advice. ;)

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    1. That's what kicked off this post for me...I was exhorting others to rest...and then burning the candle at both ends...lol. Time to take that spoonful of sugar :}

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  7. I think society in general these days conditions us to think we have to keep going and never stop. Take some time out to enjoy your achievements; I'm sure the dog won't mind :D

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    1. Awww...how is Rex anyway...er, should I say Judgemental Dog?? lol. It's great to see you, Rebecca!

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  8. Hope you have a great restful summer!
    I had to force myself to rest - by reading! - by adding it to my weekly schedule. Otherwise I feel guilty if I stop working (on anything!)...

    Loved your barley research! I think it wound be amazing to make one's own whisky...

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    1. I think you'll love the whiskey making post coming up too! It was absolutely fascinating...and I just may malt some barley and try my hand at it!

      And...I always feel guilty if I'm not working on something too...I have to force myself to take some time to do the things I enjoy, like cooking and resting on my rumpus at the beach. I forget how lovely it is..

      Have a great week, Deniz!

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  9. We do need some time to chill! As long as it doesn't become permanent, we're all right.
    Now go rest!

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    1. Thanks, Alex! I just returned from a few days of resting on the ocean shore. Wow! My writing has poured out since coming home. Apparently, it was just what the doctor ordered. I'm planning on another 'rest' at the beach in a few weeks. Please (solemnly pleads to the muse) let me enjoy the same results then! :}

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  10. So well written, and so important! I too often tell others they need downtime, rest time, daydreaming time, but then I don't do it myself. Thanks for the reminder! Enjoy your lovely, summer lull time.

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