Embracing A Season Of Rest | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Embracing A Season Of Rest

Just in case you're doing the most

8
Embracing A Season Of Rest

My homeboy was walking me back to my dorm from our smoothie outing when we ran into a mutual associate. Immediately, we congratulated him on his summer abroad and other exploits. All of Instagram bared witness to his amazing time of professional and cultural growth. He, in turn, asked my friend what he did over the summer. Of course, I knew the response—I touched base with him periodically while he did research abroad and engaged with more researchers on another campus.

Then, they both turned to me as our associate extended the question to me: “What did you do over the summer?” And I answered as I have all year thus far. “I rested.” There was a brief silence as he waited for me to continue. “All summer. I rested all summer.” He responded by saying, “Oh no, that’s a real thing! Believe me, I rested for a good two weeks before…[insert dope activities here]” Yeah, you get it. And I appreciated the affirmation, but I couldn’t help but notice that the thought of taking an extended period of rest time required some sort of justification for most people, especially college students in D.C.

After all, we came here with intentions to illuminate the already-vibrant art scene, take capital hill by storm, and our gain respect in our respective academic communities.

I still have my goals and my ambition intact. However, I’ve learned not to justify my seasons of rest to people. Over the summer, I judged myself more harshly than anyone. I had fought tooth and nail to stay in D.C. over the summer and work an internship, take classes, get a job, do anything. So when I ended up at home, I felt defeated. I had anxiety. There was a hole in my identity where the classifications of “achiever” and “go-getter” were. To be clear, I’m not really lazy. I was applying for jobs and even got close to getting hired multiple times. But strange things would get in the way, to the point where even my mother, who is Ms. Work Ethic, stopped me one day and shared some wisdom with me, “Danari, when you think about it, this is one of the last chances you’ll get at a summer vacation. All year, you’ve seemed like you were caught up in a hurricane. Maybe its time to rest and be grounded.” So I did.

When I finally gave God my thirst for constant productivity, He gave me something better. He gave me an authentic sense of identity.Not a counterfeit sense of identity that could be gutted by the absence of a job or high GPA, but a bulletproof self-confidence rooted in His love for me. He sent people in my life to sow wisdom in my now-clear mind, he sent me on trips that sharpened the picture of my purposed, and gave me peace about pursuing the things that make me bubble over with passion. Now, I’m in an extremely busy season with more opportunities than I can take, but I had to learn to operate from a solid place of contentment. I could go on forever, but I don’t want to lose you.

What I want to say is this: most of my friends are pressed, and not out of a healthy sense of passion, but because of the lie that they are inadequate if they aren’t constantly adding to their resumes. Please don’t misunderstand me—wanting things is goodand working toward those things is even better. God puts desires in your heart for a reason. We all have an important part to play in the world. But we can’t serve a world, freely operating in our gifts, if we are enslaved to its opinion of us. I believe seasons of quiet, rest, and low-visibility are gifts that allow us to build the character and strong self-perception that is required to bear the pressure and brilliance of the amazing things we’ll accomplish. If you master contentment when you’re working with little, your joy will be so much richer when your plate is full. So when you’re in a season of rest, I hope you lean into it and receive the treasure it has for you.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

191764
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

15776
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

458533
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26979
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments