"You are one busy bee!"

I hear the phrase often and finally, finally, I have accepted that it is true. I have a very busy life, and I do not get much time to stop. Relax. Unwind.

This week I have had that time. I sit here now, on the deck of a beautiful two-storey house, in bright Australian sunshine that feels like it belongs in Summer rather than Autumn, overlooking the ocean. Yes, I am busy. But I am relaxed.

Taking a week out is sometimes super important - even if it means missing a day at your new job, missing classes and lectures, and not having the greatest internet connection to keep on top of everything you are missing. It stressed me out when I first arrived, but I now realise that taking 2 full days without even turning on my laptop was exactly what I needed to clear my head. Get back on track.

You can always work more efficiently, effectively and extraordinarily when you have a clear head.

The thing is, my to-do list at the moment is absolutely massive, and deadlines are creeping up on me like nobody's business. My busyness, however, is something that I love - I enjoy everything I do, and I wouldn't want to stop doing any of it. I love studying, and I love being at uni studying law. I love completing units, submitting essays and reading entire textbooks that I never thought I'd get through. I love organising a band for our church's Sunday celebrations, and love rehearsing, putting together a set list, and worshiping God with my friends. I love being involved in youth group, and in Bible Study. I love writing the studies, and reading commentaries to grow my understanding of the truth of the gospel. I love living at home, and serving my family (though I don't do enough!). I love taking the time to go for a walk and take photos, or jog around the lake. I love teaching kids how to swim, and seeing them overcome their fears, put their eyes in the water, or do perfect butterfly down the pool. I love working in an office, and being in the legal world, talking to clients and helping in whatever way I can to ease the life of the lawyers around me. I love it all.

Though I am learning to say no.

The only reason I am able to do all of the things that I do is because I am organised and disciplined in my organisation. Don't get me wrong; I have bad weeks. Weeks where I forget things, I don't write things down, I abandon my diary and I let my desk accumulate junk. But being organised and disciplined means that I can accomplish more and serve people better. However, no matter how much of a Type-A, organised person you are, weeks off are important. Rest is important. Being able to sit on the beach for an hour with nothing to do, not even a book to read. Just to sit. Breathe. Relax.

So what have I been doing to unwind?

I drove to the coast straight after work last Saturday to enjoy a week with my family. The mid-north coast of Australia, that is. Somehow we lucked out with the weather and it has been incredibly warm - so much so that I did not bring enough summer clothing. Regardless, it's been great.

The house we are staying at is a 5 minute walk to the beach - and since daylight saving changes have me still up at 5am, I've been wandering down to the beach each morning and doing the 6km return walk up and down the beach before breakfast. Watched some awesome sunrises, took some photos, took some deep breaths and made my legs quite sore. Sand really does it for my calves. Ouchies.

Other than spending time at the beach I've been shopping, eating fish and chips (it is a coast trip after all), watching movies, and sitting in the sun to do yoga and stretch or accomplish a bit of uni reading. I do have a couple of assessment tasks due in the next week that I haven't quite gotten around to finishing yet, but I'll get there.

I've also been preparing for the youth group term ahead, contacting a bunch of people about venues and what not, and finishing off the Genesis studies I've been writing. Still relaxing, though, don't worry.

Tomorrow my sister and I leave the rest of our fambam and head to cold Katoomba for the Katoomba Youth Convention (KYCK... don't know what the second K is for?). It should be a blast.

These next few weeks are going to be insanely busy for me (please pray!). However, I feel rested. And I feel like I can get through them.

Have you rested recently?

xx

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