Relax a while

Dear Friends

A friend of mine shared a story with me about the importance of peace and quiet, and I'd like to share it with you. My friend, whom I'll call Prakash, is a real go-getter, always busy, always running from one activity to the next, taking care of his own catering business and keeping up with three busy children and their after-school activities.

Prakash often seems a little rushed, but when he and I met this last time, he looked unusually peaceful and calm. He actually left his cell phone in his handbag while we were talking. This behavior was so out of the ordinary that I had to ask what was up. He said very directly, "I finally learned how to rest." Then he went on to tell me how and that is what I want to share with you.

In addition to his family and his business, Prakash has a ninety-two year-old uncle who lives in a retirement home. He visits him regularly and one day, he had raced from one job to the next before stopping by the eldercare center to see him. He found him sitting in the garden grinning from ear to ear, doing absolutely nothing.

He said that his first thought was that he had finally succumbed to dementia, but as she approached he looked up and greeted him. He sat down beside him on the bench and asked him why he was sitting there alone. With that huge smile on his face, he told him that he was just enjoying being alive and feeling grateful for the garden and the sky and the birds around him. Prakash, whose full days are absolutely packed, admitted that he was taken aback by his simple enjoyment of just sitting peacefully.

So he sat there silently with him for nearly an hour, taking inventory of the lovely flowers all around, listening to the breeze blow through the trees and watching the birds fight over a crust of bread. When he finally got up to go pick up one of the children from a music lesson, he said he felt calmer and more relaxed than he had in ages. When he bent down and kissed his uncle on the forehead he said, "This is the best visit we've had together. Just sitting here with you was a great treat, dear."

Since then Prakash said that he has made it a point to take time out to just be, even if it's just for 15 minutes a day. He said he leaves his cell phone and laptop in another area and just enjoys being in the moment. He admitted to me that even though his daily life hasn't become any less hectic, the simple fact of having those few moments leaves his feeling far more relaxed and able to cope with the things that come along.

Friends, I have to say that I was very impressed by the wonderful change I saw in my friend and quite happy that he has found a way to experience a little peace in his life, which is very important to all of us. I hope that Prakash’s story will inspire you to take some time out to enjoy the benefits of being at rest.