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In a world filled with chaos and constant demands, sometimes life has a way of delivering wake-up calls that we never saw coming.

It’s as if the universe taps us on the shoulder, urging us to pay attention and reassess our priorities.

For me, that wake-up call came in the form of a single text message from a dear friend, all the way from Germany.

The text read, “Cynthia, Elkie is going through it.”

At that moment, a wave of empathy washed over me because little did my friend know, I too was going through it.

You see, at the beginning of the year, I was riding high on the wave of consistency, fueled by zeal and unwavering determination.

I even wrote an article about the power of consistency and how it is a transformative gift we must give ourselves. I felt invincible -like nothing could derail me.

But as time wore on, that once unwavering commitment started to crumble. The consistency I prided myself on began to fade into a sea of randomness.

I found myself losing sight of my goals, waiting for elusive moments of inspiration, and succumbing to the suffocating grip of self-doubt.

It felt like the ground beneath me was slowly giving way, and I was desperately grasping for something to hold onto.

However, upon receiving that text, a flicker of realization sparked within me: perhaps what we both needed was to detach ourselves from the relentless demands of the world and nurture our well-being.

And so, with an impulse fueled by desperation and hope, I extended an invitation to Elkie—a kindred spirit facing her own battles, and also a dear friend—to embark on a journey to the beach with me, the ultimate sanctuary of nature’s majesty that was closest to us.

When we arrived, instead of avoiding our uncomfortable realities, we made a conscious decision to face them head-on.

We settled down on the sandy beach, the breeze caressing our weary souls; and there, amidst the backdrop of crashing waves and bird sounds, we began to talk.

We shared our stresses, our failures in the pursuit of our goals, and the relentless negative thoughts that seemed to have made a permanent home in our minds.

With every bite of the famous beach fish and chips that we had ordered, we let our words flow freely.

As if we were somehow pouring all our fears, worries, and self-doubts into the vast lake before us, and letting the strong waves carry them away leaving us lighter and more open to the possibilities that lay ahead.

In that raw vulnerability, we stumbled upon a profound realization—burnout and negative thoughts can overpower even the most dedicated spirits.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow upon the water, a newfound clarity washed over me: the need for rest is not a sign of weakness but a necessary component of success.

We don’t need to measure ourselves against others who seem to be in constant motion, always pushing forward. Instead, we need to permit ourselves to pause, to breathe, and to recharge.

For if we relentlessly push ourselves without respite, anger and bitterness will become insidious companions on our journey, poisoning our spirits and suffocating our dreams.

As we reluctantly left the tranquil embrace of the beach, we found ourselves momentarily lost in the familiar streets of our city—an eerily perfect metaphor for the confusion we had both been experiencing.

Nevertheless, we reflected on the restful therapeutic day we’d just had, and made a vow to incorporate intentional rest and rejuvenation into our plans.

We understood that these moments of respite would not hinder our progress but propel it forward.

Actionable takeaway:

We all possess dreams and goals that drive us forward—a commendable pursuit. But, we must not forget our inherent human need for rest and rejuvenation.

We must embrace deliberate plans for relaxation, just as we plan our strategies for achieving our goals.

So, this week I implore you to make a deliberate plan for relaxation periods and incorporate these moments of rest into your life as you navigate the winding road of your own aspirations and dreams.

Treat them as sacred appointments with your well-being.

Remember, balance is the key that unlocks the full potential of your consistency; and, it’s through balance that we truly thrive.