If you know you’ll have to write it or say it, you’ll be more likely to pay attention in the first place. Another is to do it as a family activity: Go around the table and ask each person to say one thing they appreciate that day. One way is to make a list each night of five things you were thankful for that day. Practice taking the time to really appreciate the good things in your life. Charles Kuralt, who chronicled America’s byways in his show “On the Road,” used to say, “Thanks to the interstate highway system, it is now possible to travel across the country, from coast to coast, without seeing anything.” Unfortunately, many of us race through our lives, from birth coast to death coast, without appreciating most of what we experience. Do you ever notice that your life seems to be flying past you faster and faster? It could be that you’re flying by it instead. Lunch breaks often make good rest times, and a few minutes of break after work, before jumping into family stuff, might make your evening go a lot better. You still might have trouble sticking to the schedule, but at least you’ve got a chance. You’re much more likely to rest if you schedule rest time in advance. It’s just like exercise, blood glucose monitoring, studying for a test, or anything else. Prayer can also be a powerful healer in this way, as you focus on your higher power or an object of devotion. Your mind will wander to thoughts of the day, but just let it go, then gently bring it back to your breath. All you have to do is sit there and focus on one thing: your breathing, a candle, any beautiful object or living thing, or anything at all.
Meditation and/or focused breathing have been great healing practices for thousands of years. Spending time in nature is a great way to reduce stress and help your body heal.
Jesus said they don’t toil or spin-he was right. Watch the animals-some of them may work pretty hard, but you never see them check their cell phones for messages. Just in case, here are some strategies that might. Either you’re not interested, or you haven’t had any ideas that worked. Last week, I wrote about rest and asked readers, “How do you rest when there are so many things you have to or want to do?” I didn’t get any replies.