Sabbatical

Sabbatical. We've all heard the word. But what exactly is a sabbatical?

Dictionary.com defines sabbatical as any extended period of leave from one's customary work, esp. for rest, to acquire new skills or training, etc. 

We're not talking vacation here. Or even retreat.

We're talking about extended time away from the usual work that we do.

starfish represent intuition, inspiration and guidance... all of which tend to appear often during a sabbaticalMany of us dream of taking one.

But how many of us actually do it?

I took 2 months off after my Dad died. I was 24.

I took 3 months off after getting separated from my first husband. I was 31.

I took 4 months off after making a huge move from NC to FL. I was 37.

And now, I am 43 and am in the beginning of my 10^th month of sabbatical since moving from FL to TX.

It’s funny as I look at the progression… each sabbatical I have taken, I’ve taken progressively more time. Perhaps as I’ve aged, I’ve needed more recovery time from a major or traumatic life event. Or perhaps as I’ve gained wisdom, I’ve given myself permission to take as much time as I need to rest and regroup.

I suspect it’s a little bit of both.

In academia and in religious life, sabbaticals are common as people step out of their day to day jobs to take a class, pursue research or travel. Often the goal is to acquire a new skill or new perspective on work and life. Sabbaticals can be short - just a few weeks or a month - or they can be long - several months or even years.

The emotions associated with sabbatical are complex and varied.

Euphoria and freedom often show up first... a feeling of relief that you don't have to keep doing the same things day in and day out that you were you previous doing. Ahhhhh!

Panic and uncertainty are hot on their heels... what have I done???? is this the right thing for me to be doing now? Should I really have let go of what's familiar and comfortable?

Relaxation and enjoyment appear as well... a trip to the zoo, a day at a park, writing in your journal, taking a class... and you revel in this gift of time you've given yourself.

Confusion is a common emotion, too... what am I trying to accomplish here? what are my goals? how long should I stay on sabbatical?

Gratitude, for me, shows up every day...for space, for perspective, for learning, for understanding, for wisdom, for compassion, for breathing, for laughter, for life. 

In my most current sabbatical experience, I have definitely acquired new skills, but not all were skills I necessarily set out to acquire.

-  Learned how to project manage a house under contract to sell with severe flooding in 7 rooms just 3 weeks before we moved out.

-  Successfully orchestrated the half-cross-country move from FL to TX with a baby, a dog and 3 cats.

-  Switched to a grain free diet and learned to enjoy cooking that way. (gasp!) I started off eating an anti-candida diet and now eat more Paleo.

-  I took two writing classes and am working on my relationship with writing. The first with www.christinakatz.com called Writing and Publishing the Short Stuff and I learned all about writing and submitting articles for publication. The second I am taking now with Tammy Strobel of www.rowdykittens.com and getting clear about what I want to write and why I want to write it.

-   Learned patient advocate skills, patience skills :-) and nursing skills in caring for my mom with stage IV throat cancer. Did I mention she has moved in with us?

I don't know what's in store for the rest of my sabbatical (or how much longer it is going to last) but I do know that I am feeling inspired and guided to stay with it and see where it takes me. Oh yeah, and one thing I'm definitely going to continue to do while on sabbatical ... write.

Inspired Action: I encourage you to look at your own life. Are you in need of a sabbatical? An intentional stepping away from your ordinary day to day responsibilities so that you can rest, gain perspective, learn something new and recharge your life? If so, what can you do TODAY to start making some plans to make it happen?

Freedom: It's Riley Friday!

At 14 1/2 months, Riley's focus in life is exploring. She wants to meet every new person, read (a few pages of) new books, check out the dirt, grass, trees, flowers...  she is in constant motion. A whirlwind of activity. She is learning about the world around her at break neck speed and seems to be a sponge, soaking up all that is fresh, new, different and exciting.

She resists confinement or constraints of any sort. She'll flit in for a hug for all of 15 nanoseconds, then she's off doing something else. At a recent family celebration, this photo of Riley was taken as she explored every nook and cranny of the courtyard where we were gathered. She was surrounded by cousins, aunts and uncles and people wanting to love on her but several times, she went darting across the way as if to say "Wheeeee! You can't catch me! Don't tell me what to do! I want to do my own thing, at my own pace, in my own way."

And you, dear reader, how often have you felt that way in your life time? In your work? With your commitments and responsibilities? Today?

"Wheeeee! You can't catch me! Don't tell me what to do! I want to do my own thing, at my own pace, in my own way."

And yet, how many times do you listen to that inner voice?

Do you agree and say "yes, let's break free from the mold/tradition/expectations for a change!"

OR do you allow convention/responsibility/shoulds to take over and instead squelch that inner voice that is crying out for a taste of freedom

Remember, you have the power to choose. Just follow in Riley's footsteps and see where it takes you.

Dr. Seuss: It's Riley Friday!

As you might imagine, with a toddler in the house, we are getting to know Dr. Seuss very well these days! His creative characters and topsy turvy tongue twisters are a delight to read for both Riley and her parents!

If you want to learn more about Dr. Seuss, visit Seusville! You'll smile the whole time you're on the site!

Here are some of our favorite Dr. Seuss-isms! :) #11, #16 and #21 are my personal favorites. What are yours?

[Via: 30 Dr. Seuss Quotes to Live By]