Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Sabbath



Traditionally, the Sabbath is a day of rest and reverence. A holy day. A day to quiet oneself. We don't Sabbath well, as a culture. We go. And go. And go. We're much better at doing than at being, and I am no exception.

A friend of mine and her husband once took a whole year and called it the year of Sabbath. They withdrew from their book clubs, church groups, regular social engagements, committees that they sat on, etc. And there were a lot, because they are wonderful and involved people and other wonderful and involved people love having them come and be wonderful and involved, but it had come to a point when they couldn't simply cut back, they needed to make a declaration. Take a stand for holiness. And quiet. And Rest. I didn't know them at the time, but I love hearing this story and come back to it over and over in my mind.

My New Year's goal is to put more Sabbath into each day. More reverence. More holiness. More rest. More stillness. More quiet. More listening. More being.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's what I like about Christmas day. It seems that the whole of North America takes a breath and pauses for one day, a day without shopping.

You might find this video quite interesting.

http://greenbookspurplemoons.blogspot.com/2010/12/story-of-stuff.html

Elizabeth said...

Wow. I'd love to hear more about the year of Sabbath. I can't even imagine how one does that for a whole year! Now, a bit each day -- that seems possible!

Unknown said...

I can embrace the idea of a bit each day.

Janna Leadbetter said...

This sounds like a wonderful plan, and I love it.

kario said...

I got this lovely, still feeling in my center when I read your intention for the coming year. It feels right to me and I'll bet some tremendous things will come of it.

Love.

fullsoulahead.com said...

Do it Carrie. Less is more!


xo

MO'N

Anonymous said...

Lovely idea, Carrie -- but I still need you to update your blog!

xoxo

Laura said...

amen amen amen...I find early morning is a good place to start...and then gentle breaths of awareness sprinkled throughout the day, remind me to come back to my sacred center.

Happy New Year Carrie!

Ask Me Anything said...

My man-child actually told me I needed a Sabbath day--and that his was Sunday but mine could be whatever day I wanted. I've been (mostly) doing it and it works!

jess said...

I have a dear friend whose church initiated a sabbath observance a couple of years ago. The guidelines were to unplug and un-schedule Sundays for a year. No errands, no projects, no have to's. She followed it religiously (ludicrous pun, apologies) and swore her family had never been closer or happier. She also said it was HARD. Shocking her on neither front.

Amber said...

I love your friends idea.

And, me to! I need all of that. Me, me, me too...

:)

Unknown said...

What an awesome idea! I love this and wish you luck and commitment with your plan. Hope you're well

Sorry Not Sorry

I'm sorry I keep pointing you towards BrenĂ© Brown's podcast,  Unlocking Us , but I'm not that  sorry.* I've appreciated ever...