Tag Archives: Day of Rest

Day of Rest, and a Celebration.

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On this day of rest and celebration (Happy Birthday, Jesus!), I’d like to share a few videos that embody the joy of this day—for me, at least (hint: books and music are essential).

This first one I kept catching myself thinking “oh, that’s my favorite one,” but then there’d be another equally beautiful snowflake, and I’d think “oh, no–that one’s my favorite!” I had no idea who Chronicle Books was before I watched the video, but apparently, they are “an independent publisher located in San Francisco, we have an award-winning history of innovation in both subject matter and format for our distinctive books and gifts” and their mission statement is “inspired by the enduring magic and importance of books, our objective is to create and distribute exceptional publishing that is instantly recognizable for its spirit, creativity, and value.” The enduring magic and importance of books?! I totally love them, and I love this video and the message at the end. (Don’t forget after you hit play to click on the snowflake in the lower right hand corner of the toolbar to make it snow).


And then, three videos from one of my favorite musicians, Danielle of Danielle Ate the Sandwich. If you don’t already know why I love her so much, read the post I wrote after seeing her live for the first time. And then, enjoy these videos: her silliness, her beautiful voice, and the big heart of her tiny ukelele.



Now, it’s time for me to give Eric his “heartmade” Christmas gift. Yesterday, after many hours, six glue sticks, and much assembly, I finished it, and decided to call it “heartmade” instead of “handmade” because I poured my whole little heart into it. I hope he likes it, and if not, he at least can see from it how much I love and appreciate him.
I can hear the crackling fire coming from our Happy Holiday Hearth DVD, so I’d better get out there.

A wish for you this day:
Peace in the struggle to find peace.
Comfort on the way to comfort.

Day of Rest

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Dexter and I are at home, resting, while Eric is at Lory State Park hiking and running with Sam. Last night, when we came home from dinner out, Dexter was limping again.  In the last three months, he’s cracked a toenail and spent a few days limping, three different times. His toenails aren’t to blame this time. Instead, he did too much and strained his paw.

Dexter on Arthur's Rock, Lory State Park

On Friday, Eric took both dogs to Lory State Park and they ran/hiked up to the Towers, a ten mile trail, half of which is really steep. Dex was fine yesterday morning (and the hike isn’t out of the ordinary for him), but then we found four tennis balls in the little dog park, and even though we’ve had to cut down on Dexter’s fetch time in the last year because he ends up hurt, it’s so hard to say no when it makes him so happy, so after the hike, the tennis balls, and two walks yesterday, it was just a little too much. It’s so sad, because he wants to keep going, do everything he’s always done, but he’s reached an age that we sometimes have to step in and force a time out. When we got up this morning, he wasn’t limping anymore, and really wanted to go with Eric and Sam, but we thought it best that he stay home and rest. Even healthy, almost young, working breed dogs need a day of rest from time to time.

Which has me thinking again how important it is for me to cultivate time for rest. I’ve been thinking about adding another regular feature to the blog, so starting today, Sundays on A Thousand Shades of Gray will be “Day of Rest.” I’m going to try again to cultivate and keep a sabbath day in my life, a day of prayer and rest. On these days I’d like to offer you, kind and gentle readers, something that might help you in that same pursuit.

image by Kevin J. Charles

Today, it’s “30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself.” There are so many items on this list that resonated with me. For example, #1 is “Stop spending time with the wrong people,” which I have been working on this year. The explanation says, in part, “Never, ever insist yourself to someone who continuously overlooks your worth.” There were many others on this list that had me tearing up, nodding my head, and whispering “yes, that too.”

On a day of rest, pick just one item from this list that particularly resonates with you. Contemplate it, consider what it means to stop doing this one thing, reflect on where in your life you could apply it, meditate for even just a few minutes on how your life might change if you were to actually stop–then let go of it and simply rest.

Mantras, prayers for this day of rest:

  • You’re already good enough, you already have more than enough, and you’re already perfect…You already have everything you need to be happy, right here and right now, (read “you’re already perfect” by Leo Babauta of zenhabits.net).
  • “You, yourself, as much as anybody else in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” ~Buddha, (read “How to Love Your Authentic Self” by Lori Deschene of Tiny Buddha).

On this day of rest,

May you be peaceful.
May you be happy.
May you be safe.
May you awaken to the light of your true nature.
May you be free.