resting

Resting is not the same as sleeping. Sleeping is an unconscious state while resting is a conscious state. Although the tissues of the body heal and repair themselves when we are asleep, there is something very healing for our whole being when we choose times of rest while we are awake. Sometimes, we need to remind one another of this vital practice of resting. Today, I rested under this tree. We had been hiking and my legs were swollen and uncomfortable. My husband suggested that I rest under the tree and put my legs up the trunk to help reduce the swelling. "Why don't you put your camera up and pretend you are taking a picture of the tree so you don't feel silly," he suggested. So, I lay down and put my legs gently on the trunk of this beautiful old hickory tree. I began feeling it's ancient wisdom as soon as I turned my attention toward it. Rest awhile, it seemed to beckon as my senses were drawn to the earthy smell of it's roots, the rough texture of it's bark, and the glorious colours of it's leaves. I lay back and took the camera, preparing to strike my "pretend" pose just for the fun of it. As I looked through the lense I gasped at the beauty before me.  I lay with the tree for quite awhile snapping photo after photo, then finally resting and simply being in it's presence. "If I had not been reminded to take some time to rest," I thought, "I would have missed this moment." Breathing in and breathing out are necessary for our survival. Rest allows us to be fully alive and present to all that life is offering to us.