To rest is to draw into yourself all the resources and energy you have been expressing out into the world. It is to take a period of time out of time, and space out of place, and withdraw what is generally given out.

When the body or the mind or the spirit fatigues, some people try to push on. Which is an interesting thing if you think about it. Like trying to drive a car without power or fuel. Even getting out to push the beast to the final destination, instead of crawling into the back seat for a nap, or waiting for the day to break so you can see what you’re doing, or waiting for help to arrive.

It is not necessary at every moment of every day to be moving forward. It is not a requirement that all the action you take be under your own steam. Sometimes it’s the better part of valor to ask for help, and then accept it when it arrives.

If you don’t know where to seek help, that is a useful meditation to have with yourself. Maybe write a list of ten places and people from whom you could seek assistance. If you don’t know how to receive help, this is as good a time as any to begin to learn. It is a skill, after all. It is a skill everyone needs. Nothing gets done in pure solitude, not really. So, resting in your efforts is mandatory.

Confront your fear of being lazy. There is a false equivalency between resting and lazing. Also, there is nothing wrong with lazing. But resting is purposeful in the accomplishment of your life. (OK, lazing is, too. Everything has a place.) You will not get as far as you think without resting. It is the reconstitution of the dried-out tissues of your soul. It is the rejuvenation of the skin of your being and the organs deep within, which keep you going. Is your fear of laziness and judgment greater than your longing for health and well-being?

Nobody ever exhausted themselves into better health. May we say, while we’re at it, that of course effort is called for in living your life, doing your work, loving yourself and others? May we say that at times great effort is required, to meet a deadline or launch a task, or even just to get through a day? Effort is not an objective measure; therefore, neither is rest. Both are required for function. Ask yourself, perhaps, why would you skimp on or sacrifice half of this equation? ❀

Knowledge is not what you think it is. Or, at least, it is more than you know. True knowledge has the flavor of wisdom, of instinct, of innocence about it, and it lives in order to be known.

When you have knowledge and keep it a secret, it withers and dies a slow death. Someday your secrets will die with you. What, before then, should you say? Knowledge gains power when shared. Ignorance breeds contempt. With the understanding of the world you have gained – over time and the distance of living – comes the obligation to offer it up.

There are people beside you, behind you, around you, who crave what you know like bread. Feed them so they can feed others who hunger; eventually all will be fed.

Compassion is vital to anything in life, but its knowledge requires practice. Do that. Then teach that. Then share the fruits of the knowledge of mind.

Your knowledge is a gift; offer it, with discernment. Just as you would not give a baby bird to a vicious dog, be careful who you hand your wisdom to. Some knowledge is private and shared only through action, suggestion, or breath. Some knowledge is general, and may be cast over the fields like seed. Some is nascent; you may pass it along and the receiver may not know what to do with it. It’s OK. They will hand it off elsewhere, or tuck it away and one day pull it out to find it finally fits.

Just as you would share your knowledge, remember it is wise to know how to receive. You cannot offer what you have yet to integrate, so take your time, allow it to ferment, and churn, and digest.

Knowledge rises with age, until something appears at the top, available in the precise moment it’s called for. Then skim and gather and form, place it in the waiting palm, and make the world whole, once again. ❀

There is a very gentle Self at the core of your being. The essence of the Human that you are. This is You, the embodiment of Kindness itself. You know this to be true.

You may not always feel so kind towards others, and you definitely are not always kind to yourself, you know. But that’s OK. Because behind everything, underneath everything, entwined with everything, although it might not seem predominant, kindness is running along. Kindness is the fundamental ground on which you are built, and while you may not always experience it, you can neither escape nor deny it. Kindness is therefore always available to you, at any moment, night or day. Always, kindness is within reach.

When you need it, call on it, and it will descend on you like a mantle of soft feathers. Kindness will warm and nourish you, whether or not you feel deserving. If you ask, it shall be given, without hesitation or doubt.

Kindness is the milk, as they say, of human experience. It is the bottom line. It is touching everything, always, without exception. You are kinder than you think. And so is everyone else.

Sometimes it is hard to make contact with the kindness that imbues each breath and heartbeat. We understand this. Being human is an act of faith. In the 3D world, so much is obscured, confusing, and painful; it is easy to feel full of fear and doubt. But if you look for kindness wherever you are, anytime, day or night, you will find it. You will always find it. If you don’t find it, keep looking. We promise, it is always present in each moment of your life.

Consider yourself an emissary, a bringer of kindness to the world. Make it your job to bring kindness to light, whenever, wherever you go. Point it out to yourself and others, make note of it on the fly. Kindness is forever demonstrating its presence and power to you. Bear witness in each moment of your life. ❀