Resiliency and Taking Care of Oneself

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9

I am part of a new team at work for resiliency. Merriam Webster defines resiliency as 1: an ability of something to return to its original size and shape after being compressed or deformed and 2: an ability to recover from or adjust easily to adversity or change. Because of this assignment, I have been doing a lot of research and reading. I am learning about stress cycles. Personal monitoring of one’s own stress response. Making assurances for self-care. Sometimes, in this research if feels like I am being assaulted by buzz words.

Over the weekend, I heard a pearl of wisdom from a friend from high school “You picked the job you have because it came with a great benefits package. Take advantage of those benefits. Take your breaks, go to lunch, use your vacation.  Your company doesn’t expect you to be miserable.” Since Sunday, this has been running through my head on repeat. I wonder how I got to a place where I needed to hear someone say that out loud, “your company doesn’t expect you to be miserable”. Our leaders know that happy people do better work. And they expect us to recharge and renew so that we can be resilient – so that they can get the very best work from us. So why do we feel like the only way to show that we are “good” is to work all the time?

In looking for a quote similar to the pearl of wisdom above I found out that some countries have a national “Leave work on time day”. This initiative is supported by labor secretaries and coalitions for families, and by mental health boards the world over.  And yet, they have to have this day every year. We often need someone to tell us it’s good to have a life outside of our careers. Maybe you have a dynamic leader who not only encourages you to step away from work, but also models that good behavior. Maybe you have a loving spouse, who can tell when you have put in too many hours, and they preserve your personal schedule, or squeeze in time for something you love to do. Maybe you already prioritize your personal life as part of your work schedule. But maybe you are like millions of others who work until it is unenjoyable. Who feel like a break is a sign of weakness. Who fear that someone else will “get ahead” if they step away. Maybe, you have worked so hard to plan your course, they you have gotten out of step with God’s plans and hopes for you.

Prayer: God who knows the fears and dreams deep in our hearts, guide us toward resilience. Help us to rebound from the things that twist and bend us. Give us the courage and strength to take time for the things that bring us joy. Amen.   

Christi Moock