A Walk In The Woods — The Rich Experiences of a Poor Man’s Sabbatical
I am committed to the practice of sabbath. Now to be honest, that’s not alway been the case. Surrounded by many “career climbing colleagues”, and “ego stroking employers”, I have spent many early mornings and late nights burning the candle at both ends; and for what?
At a particularly trying point in my journey, logging 60 and 70 hour weeks and staffing two positions on the org chart, in a moment of transparency I shared my soul weariness with an advisory team officially assembled for my personal and career health. I can still recall the sting of the words and the stone faced response of one of these care takers, “Jim that’s just what everyone is doing in this economy. You just need to suck it up.”
Done. That was the beginning of the end for me.
As I shared my disappointment, of this less than Christian and Western world mindset with a friend and Catholic priest, his experience laden words were, “When I busted my ass for my employer, all I ended up with was a busted ass”! Huh? His salty words of wisdom were catalytic on my road of establishing life boundaries and a healthy and life giving plan forward.
At the heart of this new way of life is the practice of sabbath, being intentional about building-in times of rest and renewal in our lives. If we won’t do this, we are destined toward soul weariness. I have traveled that road. God has created us to be human “beings” NOT human “doings”. In our 24/7, 365 culture the idea of sabbath represents the road less traveled.
A few years back I was blessed by my employer with a Sabbatical. A 6-week intentional time away after seven years of service. This was an amazing gift and a formative time in my life. For the first time in many years I was able to leave behind the grind of daily responsibilities and just be. Rest, recreation, travel, family, and more rest. Perhaps the best gift was reconnecting with God.
Times have changed. In this new season of life, being a founder of a non-profit, rubbing shoulders with other spiritual entrepreneurs, I often hear the internal voice saying, “push, push, push”, lots of need, lots to do! And you know what, that’s true! BUT what also is true is that the best thing I have to offer anyone is a healthy me!
I leave today for a 5-day sabbatical. Resources don’t allow for a 6-week sabbatical. No airline tickets, no international travel, no tourist destinations. BUT sabbatical nonetheless — rest! I will pack up my 2002 Toyota 4-Runner with my tent, backpack, bike, books and food and head for a walk in the woods. Musingly I am referring to it as my Poor Man’s Sabbatical. And yet, the thought of disconnecting with daily routine and reconnecting with God and rest is life giving.
In 2006, author Bill Bryson wrote a book titled A Walk In the Woods. It is the humorous and moving account of his hiking of the 2,100 mile Appalachian Trail. It became a New York Times best seller and now a movie. I’ve not read the book as of yet, but have it loaded on my I-Pad and looking forward to the read. One reviewer noted that the book is “proof positive that the journey is the destination.”
Looking forward to my own walk in the woods this week.
Shabbat Shalom,
Jim
Rest well, my love.