Like many of you, this is the time of year in Tucson Arizona where I begin to long for a break from the heat...and a vacation!  

As I was reflecting on how periods of rest serve the revitalization of mind, body and spirit, I was delighted to discover this New Church Life editorial on the same.  It is shared here in the hope that it inspires you to take a break this summer, not as a detraction from, but in service to the uses of daily life!

Love and Peace,

Ethan

The need for a break from the active life of charity so that we may be refreshed and may return renewed [is vital].  The world has suffered from extremes of views concerning the proper place of recreation in human life.  In puritanical times, and even among some today, all kinds of recreation have been regarded as improper and frivolous impediments to a good life. On the other hand we have those who have so little regard for the spiritual elements of life that recreation and the pursuit of pleasure become the only [goal.  In all things, balance].

Just as a bow which is never unstrung and relaxed loses its spring and its power, so do we (both in mind and body) need periods of relaxation from the stretch imposed upon us by our daily undertakings. We know from experience how true this is of our body. Not only does it need exercise and activity, not only nourishment, but also periods of complete inactivity, of rest. We forget that this is true also of the mind. We cannot usefully keep the mind at a fever pitch of activity; we must relax it with rest and change.

In this connection the Word speaks of the recreational value of change. Beauty is in variety, not in a monotonous comforming. The rainbow is more beautiful than one unchanging color, and harmony more beautiful than unison (unless variety is introduced in some other form). Above all, the beauty of heaven springs from the endless variety of those angels who are a part of it. So it is in our lives. To pursue relentlessly one task, however useful it may be, is not productive [for spiritual life]. Our minds will gain relaxation and stimulation both from the beauty of variety in activity and in interest.

Recreation serves our daily occupation, our life in the home, and our spiritual responsibilities. …If we keep these principles in mind, we need have no sense of guilt in our enjoyment of the pleasures of this world; we need not think of them as standing in the way of [our spiritual growth and development.  In the end] we can see the diversions of charity as delightful interludes in our lives, mercifully provided by the Lord so that we may return gladly from them to the daily uses of life, refreshed and renewed!