A Weekend to Be Still: Finding Strength in Rest

The week had drained me—long hours, endless tasks, and a mind that felt stretched thin. I had planned my weekend carefully, determined to tackle errands before my road trip to Florida. But life had other plans.

Instead of crossing items off my list, I found myself wrapped in a blanket on the sofa, shivering with chills. My body demanded stillness, and for once, I had no choice but to listen.

The Days of Stillness

• Day 1 (Friday): What began as a quiet evening quickly reminded me of past battles with food poisoning. My daughters worried, and I felt the weight of their concern. My appetite was gone, and all I could do was rest.

• Day 2 (Saturday): Weakness deepened. Even water was hard to keep down. My daughter brought me fruit and Pedialyte, then I made a simple broth of ginger, lemon, garlic, and spinach. It soothed me, reminding me that healing often comes from the simplest things.

• Day 3 (Sunday): I woke up to worship music and then church online. Though my body was weak, my spirit found strength. I gave myself grace—grace to rest, grace to be still, grace to let go of the endless list of “to dos.”

• Day 4 (Monday): Recovery became my priority. I called out of work, not out of defeat, but out of wisdom. I listened to a webinar without pressure, allowing myself to learn while still honoring my need for rest.

• Day 5 (Tuesday): I returned to work slowly, still weak but decided to move forward. By the afternoon, exhaustion reminded me that healing is not instant—it is a journey.

The Lesson in Stillness

As I reflected, I realized how quickly life can shift. Just a week before, I was glowing, full of energy. Yet illness reminded me of a truth we often forget we are not invincible, and we are not alone.

No one noticed my absence except my daughters and the few I told. It was a sobering reminder that silence doesn’t always mean someone is fine. Sometimes silence means someone is struggling.

The Powerful Message

This weekend taught me that being still is not weakness—it is wisdom. Rest is not wasted time—it is sacred time. And caring for others means checking in, even when they seem strong, even when they seem fine.

Life is too short to take people for granted. Too short to ignore the quiet cries for help. Too short to push ourselves until we break.

Let this be your reminder to:

• Honor your body when it asks for rest.

• Honor your spirit when it asks for stillness.

• And honor those you love by reaching out, even when they haven’t asked.

Because sometimes the greatest gift we can give ourselves—and each other—is simply to be still, to be present, and to show we care.

Here’s to choosing rest when needed, to choosing to love when possible, and to remembering that even in stillness, we are growing stronger.

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Until next time, keep choosing peace, purpose, and the small moments that make life feel full.

Peacefully yours, in purpose and Peace!

Ruthie O