Women at Rest

My Sabbatical ~ 7/22-8/31

The last few summers I toyed with the idea of taking the entire month of August off. Well folks, this year I'm doing it! I'm taking a short yet significant sabbatical devoted to working on my book, Women at Rest, which I've been sporadically working on for 3+ years. It's time to get her done, and it ain't gonna happen unless I make it happen!

So... zena moon will be closed 7/22 - 8/31.

I haven't gone on sabbatical, or even had an extended vacation (longer than 2 weeks), since 1993. That year my dog Elliott and I packed our bags and moved to Prague where we dallied for over a year living off a nice fat severance package from Digital Equipment Corp.

I'll say it here first: I intend to make a summer sabbatical an annual event. My friend and AssistU founder Stacy Brice goes on sabbatical the entire 4th quarter of every year. Her philosophy is pure inspiration and living proof that a successful company (not to mention business owner) benefits from ample amounts of downtime.

Here's a great article offering helpful suggestions on how to prepare for a sabbatical.

Today I took the first step: notifying my customers. Next step: deciding whether to have someone monitor my email and voicemail while I'm away. Not sure yet!

"Woman Work" by Maya Angelou

I've got the children to tend
The clothes to mend
The floor to mop
The food to shop
Then the chicken to fry
The baby to dry
I got company to feed
The garden to weed
I've got shirts to press
The tots to dress
The can to be cut
I gotta clean up this hut
Then see about the sick
And the cotton to pick.

Shine on me, sunshine
Ran on me, rain
Fall softly, dewdrops
And cool my brow again.

Storm, blow me from here
With your fiercest wind
Let me float across the sky
'Til I can rest again.

Fall gently, snowflakes
Cover me with white
Cold icy kisses and
Let me rest tonight.

Sun, rain, curving sky
Mountain, oceans, leaf and stone
Star shine, moon glow
You're all that I can call my own.

An Untitled Miracle

I am deepest at rest when doing God's will vs. my will.

I spent Sunday morning with a woman who attempted suicide 11 days ago. I took her to an AA meeting, then afterwards we went for coffee with some of my favorite peeps. Today at lunch this precious woman shared that after the meeting and just our talking together, the hopelessness she felt was lifted. For the first time in ages she wants to live. She has hope.

This is why our lives need open spaces.

When our days are crammed full of appointments, plans and commitments, it's harder for God to work through us. We miss delicious spontaneous opportunities for grace, surprise and miracles.

I'm so glad I didn't follow through on MY plan (my will) which was to hibernate and work all weekend.

I'm so glad I listened to that Inner Voice (God's will) that quietly said, "Go. Go..."