Here's your permission to REST

A few years ago, I had the most wonderful idea come to mind. The idea literally was a picture in my mind – all I could see were the letters that spelled REST. Bigger than neon lights, they were like the Hollywood sign. Big and bold in my mind. I could envision them as clearly as I can see my hand in front of my face.

REST. It sounded mysterious and bold. It sounded peaceful and determined. It sounded, quite frankly, like heaven on earth. REST.

At the time, I was gathered together with a group of women, that I happen to consider as some of the most forward thinking, talented and educated women I know, and we were discussing topics of life, love and leadership. All of us holding executive roles at the same time as being mums that adore our families and also women who deeply care about the needs of others. All of us feeling the pull of duty over the idyllic concept of rest.

During the discussion, the topic of a Women’s Conference came up. I shared the idea with them that had come to me: REST. They all loved it. We decided to each go away and ponder what it could look like to create a space for other women to REST. Perhaps a conference based purely on giving women permission to REST.

While that conference is yet to materialise, I am working towards that now by building a group of women who are unapologetic in their pursuit of everything wealth, health and self.

Wealth and REST

Sometimes I worry that the perception of pursuing wealth is shallow and materialistic. If that is the case, why would anyone want to pursue wealth or trust me in showing them how to pursue wealth?

But I can’t stay fixated on this because there are facts in this world that evidence that the odds are stacked against the majority of us. If you are not part of the elite few in this world where money flows to you from every direction, whether the economy is good or bad, then the odds are stacked hard up against you. Which means that you could end up working your entire life to satisfy the wealth of the elite, without ever satisfying wealth in your own life.

Don’t fall for the lie that pursuing wealth is a selfish, shallow or materialistic pursuit. A wealthy life is the life that we are all striving for, but so few know how to achieve.

Pursuing wealth in your lifetime is important for your health and your overall wellbeing. That is because wealth is the ability to pay your debts and afford the lifestyle you want without having to work.

Wealth gives you the ability to work on your passion projects and the projects that satisfy your sense of purpose in life.

Start to imagine the level of REST you could achieve in your life if you could remove or, at least, significantly reduce the amount of time you spend working for wages.

The more you learn about wealth generation, the more you will realise that it is not optional – it is essential.

Wealth = REST

Health and REST

I am sure that you have heard the saying that “you must schedule rest for your body, or you body will schedule it for you (and usually at the least convenient time)”.

Our bodies are so good to us, we really have no choice but to be good back.

We need to nourish and rest our bodies in a way that supports our body to support us. Our overall mental, physical and emotional health is counting on it.

By filling your body with nutrient rich foods, avoiding processed foods and ensuring you have enough water each day, you are resting your body, even with keeping up with your normal pace of life. Your body has to work overtime when you don’t take care of these things and it punishes your body each time it tries to digest processed foods or tries to keep you running without enough water. Some simple tweaks will leave you feeling a great sense of REST as your body won't have to work as hard.

What about your sleep health? Did you know that ‘sleep deprivation’ has been used against prisoner’s as a form of torture? Our bodies cease to function without a required amount of sleep. We have to honour our body with our sleep health. Do you get the recommended sleep for your age? Have you learned about sleep cycle hacking? Do you have a safe and comfortable place to sleep? By improving your sleep health, you can improve your overall wellbeing and ability to function each day.

The more you learn about health, the more you will realise that it isn't just a 'nice to have' – it is essential.

REST = Health

Self and REST

Our spiritual health can not be ignored. We are, afterall, body, soul and spirit. There is no separating our spirit from our body or our lives. They do not function one without the other.

Learning who you are, what energises you and what depletes you are core to REST. Learning that AND applying that are REST.

Somehow though, just like with wealth and health, taking care of the self has been labelled a selfish pursuit and something listed way down the priority list.

This doesn’t make sense. Who gave us this idea?

To function optimally, we must be self-aware, allow our true self to be present in our every day and to lead us well in this life.

In our busy world, I find that we often end up functioning with a robotic endurance but that is not good for us. We are not robots. We are human-beings and sometimes we just need to ‘be’. Resting and ‘being’ are synonymous – it’s the action of no action, or the action of little action.

When we do not care for ourselves we are living out of alignment with an intrinsic value. A value that is built into us that requires our body, soul and spirit to slow down and REST.

The more you learn about your ‘self’, the more you will realise that the world won't just be a better place with you present in the moment – it is essential.

Self = REST

The takeaway for REST

It sounds counterproductive to say REST and then, in the same breath to say ‘pursue wealth, health and self’ – but it isn’t. Your wealth, health and self will all be impacted by your ability to REST. REST is the foundation that will allow these other areas of your life to function at their best.

If you need permission to REST, this is your permission: REST.

Start today. Start by deciding what rest looks like to you. What do you need more of, or less of in your life to make room to rest? Do you need to work on your finances so you don’t have to work overtime or a second and third job? Do you need to learn more about what self-awareness is so that you can check in on your own well-being each day? Do you need to just take a day off work and sleep? Could you drink a little more water today? What can you do to take you closer to a life that is built on a foundation of REST?

Remember, “you must schedule rest for your body, or your body will schedule it for you

(and usually at the least convenient time)”.

The REST conference and workshops will be coming soon, so be sure to keep an eye out for it. It will be your ultimate guide to caring for your whole self.

Please send me an email to [email protected] and let me know how you are going with learning to REST. 

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