Even Hummingbirds Must Rest

Deep Rest: Essential for a Refresh

It's already August, and if you are a teacher or work in a school, this means the end of summer is nigh, and you may be anxious or reluctant to count down the days to return to the fast pace of school days. You want to savor the summer sweetness of spending time with friends, family, projects or side hustles. And, yes, you should.

If you are anything like me, you enjoy the lead up to the beginning because it means starting over and beginning again. Teaching can be satisfying like a video game because you can always replay. Start the level over, try out a new strategy. Level up.

Over time, I learned it is important not to start too fast or too soon. I have a history of revving my new school year engine too fast. Busyness often defines my life. But busyness is a contract you make with yourself to avoid feelings. Yet, embracing deep rest is vital. It nourishes creativity, especially for effective teaching.

If you don't know me yet, you should know that my approach to writing, teaching, and life, in general, stems from being a poet first, then a philosopher-historian. I love to observe, which aligns with my avoidant personality. While I'm not afraid of tackling challenges, I do tend to avoid dealing with difficult emotions – except when certain songs strike a chord, and I can cry alone in the car.

But this is not about me. It's about deep rest. If you are busy and have made a contract with busyness– please know that even hummingbirds must rest. No one, no thing is in perpetual motion. If you are not a hummingbird fan, or just don't know much about them, the average hummingbird visits 1000 flowers in a day and they can fly up to 5000 miles in a year!

This little guy sat on a branch for 10 full minutes. I try sit outside for at least 10 full minutes these days. Doing nothing. Just listening to the birds and trying to find another resting hummingbird. Sometimes it is easier than you think.

Here is a one minute clip of the same hummingbird resting for you to enjoy. The hummingbird visiting me recently is symbolic and I am using it to remind myself that if a hummingbird can rest, so can I.

Best of luck and wishes with whatever you do towards the end of summer and beginning of fall. May it bring you joy and rest.