What if leisure wasn't something we allowed ourselves when we had everything done? How would our lives be different? As I work on my self-care, I sat with my tea this morning, reading. This was the beautiful quote I came across in The Four Fold Way (Angeles Arrien, PH.D.).
““The heart is a leisurely muscle. It differs from all other muscles. how many push-ups can you make before the muscles in your arms and stomach get so tired that you have to stop? But your heart muscle goes on working for as long as you live. It does not get tired, because there is a phase of rest built into every single heartbeat. Our physical heart works leisurely. And when we speak of the heart in a wider sense, the idea that life-giving leisure lies at the very center is implied. Never to lose sight of that central place of leisure in our life would keep us youthful. Seen in this light, leisure is not a privilege but a virtue. Leisure is not the privilege of a few who can afford to take time, but the virtue of all who are willing to give time to what takes time- to give as much time as a task rightly takes.” - Brother David SteindleRast, Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer”
What is a virtue anyways? Its a way you can show your moral standards....it fits in there with justice, patience, hope, and love. Leisure. What could we find in the stillness if we would just take the time?
My friend Jenna and I taking a moment to enjoy the sunrise and river with our coffee while hiking the Wonderland Trail around the base of Mt. Rainier.