I'm a tired, grumpy camper this morning... I'm staying with the children of a co-worker while he's at a church conference, and the experience has led me to the conclusion that there is something inherently unbalanced about a system that requires children to be in school before the sun is up. It does not make their caretakers who had to wake up at 6 am (and who normally rise at 7:30 am) happy people. On the other hand, though, I can leave work earlier this afternoon. There is always a silver lining.

As for sleep, though... I saw a specialist on TV this weekend who said that the average high school/college age person needs about nine hours of sleep per night. What is the average? For most college students, about six. He said that most Americans are walking zombies, living in this half-awake haze that prevents them from being as happy or productive as they could be. I also read an article in National Geographic that says caffeine is the only psychoactive drug that people give to their children.

Now, I am not one to preach to you all. I remember one particularly hellish semester at school when I went to bed at 2 am every single night and took an average of two power naps a day just to get me through my 165-page portion of Dickens for the next class. I also remember having a meltdown around Easter that semester. It was around that time that I finally started letting go of a bit of my perfectionism to take care of myself.

When we follow the gods of achievement and material success, what are we doing to ourselves in the process? Do we have any time for creativity? Any time to just "be?" Any time to remember that we are beloved creations of God? When we're so caught up in what we have to do, we lose so much of who we are.

So I'm going to throw out a challenge for you all-- take a 20 minute "time out" at some point during the week to do absolutely nothing. You don't have to pray, or write, or even think, if you don't want to. Don't set out to take a nap, but if you do fall asleep, that's okay. Just go lay on your bed and stare at the ceiling for a while. Calm your mind of the business and just "be." I'd be interested to hear any comments you have about your experience of "time out," so feel free to post them and share with others. Next week I'll tell you about my experience as well.

And whether you do the challenge or not, just remember to take time for yourself this week. Rejoice in the fact that you have worth, simply because you are a beloved of God.

"I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus." -- 1 Corinthians 1:4

Kelsey

PS-- The new Women's Ministries temp just showed up in the office, and no one else is here to tell her what she's supposed to do!!! Curses on showing up earlier than anyone else!!

Great blog Kelsey. I really enjoy hearing about your adventures.
Thanks! P.S. I could use some extra sleep myself.

As evidenced by the fact that you wrote your comment after 1 am. Hmmm....

Kelsey