Many of us spend a lot of time working on ourselves. We go to counseling. We take human potential, personal growth and self-improvement classes. We read books on these subjects as well. We analyze our relationships and ourselves. We exercise. We try to eat right. We journal. We meditate. We try new spiritual practices. We do affirmations and focus our thoughts. And on and on.
Sometimes, though, we need a break–especially after a particularly intense period of work or introspection.
This reminds me of the words of Rebbe Nachman of Bresolv, who says, “The highest peace is the peace between opposites.” You may not have reached the place you want to go, but you can still find peace along the way.That’s the point.
Maybe you are working on your relationship with your husband or significant other, for example, like I am. You may go through counseling or some intense conversations. Then you might need a little break before you do any more work. Maybe you need to assimilate. Or rest. Or be. This is the place between opposites. Between where you were and where you want to be.
Maybe you are working on a project, like a book, which I’ve been doing, or a gratitude journal. You write for several days or weeks, and then you stop. You need a break for a day or two before you finish or keep going. This is the peace between opposites–between creativity and non-creativity, between beginning a project and finishing it, between setting a goal and reaching it.
Maybe you are trying to rid yourself of a bad habit or a negative pattern of thinking. You focus on this for a few weeks and then get frustrated. Give yourself a break! You’ll regain your focus and new energy by coming back to your work later.
So, be easy on yourself if you find you need a break in the midst of your self-improvement work–or any work. Give yourself that break. You might find it regenerates you and gives you what you need for the next bit of work you do.
