We’ve lived in Arizona for almost two decades. We’ve been in the same house, a house we built, for that entire time. While we made choices about the structure, the layout, and the interior and exterior options, our house is… just a house. What makes a house a home is what happens on the inside. This is the second of 5 blogs in a series called “Building a Home”.

Part 2 = REST

Have you ever taken a road trip, even a short one? While I don’t drive due to my limited vision, I spend a lot of time riding shotgun (and ironically I’m a solid navigator as well). Whenever I travel, other people are doing all the driving, and that takes lots of focus. Finding a place to rest, even if only for a few minutes, is important.

On a road trip, as in life, we can all use a little rest and relaxation. No matter who you are, or how you choose to spend your time, be sure to take breaks. Think of them as life’s rest stops. For example, the town of Sedona, Arizona is about a 2 hour ride from our house. We’ve made that trip with my parents for an early Christmas. We’ve gone up to shop, eat, and spend time with friends. We did one of those Pink Jeep tours with our kids and Barb’s parents. Once we went up as a couple when I officiated an outdoor wedding. Each trip provided unique memories. However, there was one place that I remember from just about every trip.

Sunset Point Rest Area off the I-17 in Congress, Arizona is perfectly placed. It’s about the halfway point on the way to Sedona, so it’s a great place to stop. Sure, it’s got restrooms and vending machines, but it’s also got an accurate sun dial and a great view of the sunset if you arrive in the late afternoon. Taking a few minutes free from the stress of traffic will help any driver to relax. Sitting on a park bench watching the sun set is more relaxing than sitting in traffic. Sharing a conversation where you can actually look at the people you’re talking to and really focus on them. That might help you relax too.

You’re probably wondering, “How can I rest when life is so busy?” When my work plate is full, I can be heard saying, “There just aren’t enough hours in a day”. Have you ever said that? If we’re being honest, each of us has probably uttered that phrase at least a few times. However, the truth is, we need to remind ourselves not to spend all of those hours working. If we define ourselves by the work we do, we tend to force ourselves to get more done each day. By limiting ourselves to work goals, we set ourselves up for regret later in life. Yes, work is important, and the more you enjoy your work, the more meaningful it becomes. Remember, work is only one part of who we are. Consider setting some personal goals too.

Later in life, have you ever heard someone say they wish they’d spent more time at work? Me neither. Growing up, I remember having chores, but they didn’t take up all of my time at home. As parents, Barb and I have given our kids chores, but like our own experiences they didn’t take up every hour of every day. In fact, we even gave our kids choices of which chores they’d like to tackle. It’s no surprise that they chose tasks they enjoyed. That same focus helped to drive their professional and personal goals too.

When you aren’t at work, at school, or taking care of responsibilities at home, is your home a place of rest? Maybe before you answer that, I need to define what that really means. Rest means providing a place that is free from the stresses of work or school or life. Rest allows for true relaxation. That doesn’t mean spending the entire day in a recliner… though for some it could because the solitude of that quiet time alone can be very relaxing. For others, rest includes enjoying a hobby, meeting up with friends, or spending some time as a couple or as a family.

Ironically, Barb just finished her spring break. The week was so busy that some might question if it was really a break at all. Yes, it was a break… a break from the daily routine, maybe a day (or two) to sleep in, but most of all, lots of little opportunities to rest. You don’t need to be on a road trip to take a break, to find rest from your routine. Choose to make your home a great rest area.