Making Buttprints
In its simplest terms, occupational therapists help people across the lifespan participate in the everyday activities (occupations) that are important and meaningful to them (www.aota.org). On top of participation in these activities, there is an important focus on making sure there is a variety and balance in the types of occupations people choose to engage in. A balanced occupational profile includes time spent in work & play; solitude & community; and rest & rejuvenation within the context of one’s family, culture, and religious preference.
I have a master’s degree in occupational therapy and I spend a good chunk of my time during the week practicing in this profession….not that the degree or the job is important, but while in the office recently, I was hit smack in the face (via a tweet from a fellow OT) with a reminder that should stop and make sure I am occupationally balanced. Well, I stopped and I was not.
So my solution: a last minute mini vacation: because there is nothing that can’t be fixed with a drive, a beach, and some sunshine.
My life has been busy, mostly good busy, but too busy. Work has given me some great new kids and new opportunities for professional development. Life has given me new friendships and more family time. Home has given me lots to fix and maintain in my attempt to sell my house. Health has given me new highs amidst new challenges. But in the midst of all this newness, I have rested little. I have missed old friends, stopped baking, barely reading, and given up writing. Opening my bible in the past few weeks has been few and far between. In recent days, I have stared at its’ cover, apologizing to God because I just couldn’t bring myself to open the cover. I think in part, I did not want to open up or be honest with God (or myself) on how my occupational unbalance was leading to our relationship slowing slipping away. I had given up my rest, and my best rest is in Him…so I was giving up Him and I did not want to tell Him that.
In order for me to tell Him that, I needed time away from distractions like painting the house, mowing the yard, worrying about my safety, hunting for wasp nests, and writing the next chapter in my book. I needed to be still. I needed to make some buttprints in the sands of time.
