ADD Austin’s “Tip of the Week” has been changed to “Tips in 2 Minutes”.  Our goal is to provide you with occasional tips designed to be read in two minutes or less.  If you previously signed up to receive the Tip of the Week, you will now be receiving less frequent e-mails.  If you have not yet signed up to receive Tips, click here to do so.  Remember one of my previous tips:  “If I can do something in two minutes or less, do it now.”

First, please don’t be offended by my use of the word “Sabbath”!  It’s the principle of regular periods of rest I want to share – not a conversion experience.  Besides, Sabbath just means Saturday.  Your Sabbath, however, can be any day you want or need it to be. 

Those of you from the Judeo-Christian heritage may be interested to know that even before Moses received the big 10 on Mt. Sinai, he was instructed to have the people rest from all labor on the Sabbath.  We may not be former slaves on a 40-year trek through the desert to the Promised Land, but there is something about taking a Sabbath rest that seems to be pretty important.   

While I recommend a full day of rest once per week, you may want to begin by setting aside a portion of a day each week for your Sabbath rest.  Three to four hours per week is a minimum for one to feel refreshed.  During your period of rest, choose any activity that leaves you feeling relaxed and rested afterwards. 

A list of suggested restful Sabbath activities: 

• A quiet walk (alone or with a friend/partner)
• Reading
• Playing quiet games with your children (board games)
• Listening to calming music (no rap or rock for a few hours)
• Drawing, painting or other artistic endeavors
• Taking a break from all technology
• A “putter” day – just do whatever you feel like doing for the day.  No “have-to’s”!
• Lunch with a friend
• Journal writing
• Sorting photos
• Prayer
• Gardening
• Planning a project

My basic Sabbath rule:  “Work” is a four-letter word. Avoid anything that feels like work.