October Sabbath

Today is my Sabbath. In the best world, everyone would have one whole day each week to spend as we want; to stay in bed, read a good book, take a slow walk or do a crossword; one whole day to do no work, run no errands, send no emails, and clean no toilets! And why don't we? Mostly because we don't make it a priority.

A sabbath day was originally a day of renewal, and rest from work, kept on Saturday by the Jews and Sunday by most Christians. And, of course, when religious people got involved, the day got bound up with "shall and shall nots". Keeping the day holy became a lot of work, and people were arrested if they didn't do it right; enforced rest is not usually very relaxing or renewing!

In the modern world we have swung the pendulum too far the other way, escaping religious rules and adopting the rules of progress, where no day is holy - only the dollar. 

Keeping a sabbath day is a personal thing. For me, it's a day with a slow pace. I don't pack it as full. I schedule some work, but it has a flavor of rest to it - it's work I find fulfilling, or uplifting. Simple is a great word to describe my ideal activities for the Sabbath: Simple tasks, simple foods, and an undemanding schedule.

Keeping a sabbath starts with a little simple discipline: I prepare for my sabbath by finishing business on the day before; getting all possible deadlines finished, shopping, and "un-fun" chores. I practice the discipline of saying no to requests that seem like work, and yes to sabbath-like activities.

My perfect sabbath is a celebration, a holiday. I keep it holy with my attitude: I try not to rush, complain, or worry. I open myself to the Spirit of Love, and schedule activities that are celebratory in nature - cooking soup or baking bread, planting bulbs or harvesting, painting or sewing, a meal with friends or family - simple, prayerful tasks that celebrate the season or the act of creativity or the joy of community.

Sabbath Agenda:

1. Writing

2. Zoom worship
3. Zen housework and yard work
4. Sewing

1. Writing:

Writing is my perfect Sabbath activity, because it's quiet and it gives me so much joy. I write my book, this blog, and I also plan to write some ideas for a new on-line children's program.

2. Zoom worship:

I'll have a silent worship with my Quaker community, from the comfort of my own home! Heavenly.

3. Zen housework and yard work:

I do what I call "Zen housework" on the Sabbath - about 15-minutes of simplifying my space and tidying up, which I find restful and satisfying, and then I go outside and do the same - I will sweep off the porches and tidy up in the play yard.

3. Sewing:

I began this bluebird project a few months ago, and today is the perfect kind of rainy autumn day to make some progress on it.