{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Episode 158 Take A Break","description":" I took a break last week and didn\u2019t post an episode. You may not have noticed, and that\u2019s okay. I know how busy life can be, how full many of our lives are and how hard it is to keep up with all that is in front of us. What I did notice was a different energy within myself when taking a break last week. I was kinder, gentler to myself. How lovely! An old energy that I am letting go of is the judgment and rigidity that sounded something like this: \u201cYou have to post an episode every week, you need to be consistent, it\u2019s confusing for listeners if you skip a week.\u201d Mmmm, not sure any of those statements are true. I do care about being consistent and I certainly don\u2019t want to confuse my listeners, but I also think it is more important to be honest and authentic and take a break when necessary. So I figured I would mention my break, just in case you wondered why you didn\u2019t receive an email announcing March 22nd\u2019s episode :) Focusing on the positive meaning of a break, particularly in our capitalistic culture that rewards work-a-holism, busy-ness, and productivity, what is your perception of taking a break? How do you handle breaks? Is it easy for you to give yourself a break? Is it hard for you to give yourself a break? What makes it possible? What stops you? How do you treat your self when taking a break? How do you treat yourself after taking a break? Part of the reason I took a break from posting a podcast episode last week, was due to the fact that my husband and I had just returned from having taken a larger break. Thanks to the generosity of our dear friends, Matt and Margaret Balitsaris, we were in the Bahamas for nearly 3 weeks. Believe me that was a deep, glorious, healing break. Let go of the guilt trip and drop into the gifts that a break offers. Whether you need a break from screens, devices, social media, a break from conversation, certain people, a break from unhealthy patterns, from the violence and chaos in our world, please give yourself a break. And while taking a break, check out the show notes for a link to Memphis soul legend Rufus Thomas\u2019 song \u201cBreak Down\u201d and let it move you to join the phenomenal dancers in the audience who truly break down! As well as a link to Shaun King\u2019s podcast \u201cThe Break Down\u201d to stay present to social justice issues. May we all honor and embrace taking breaks; small breaks, large breaks, daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal breaks - it\u2019s good for the soul! Enjoy the podcast! Links: Rufus Thomas \u201cBreak Down\u201d Shaun King\u2019s podcast \u201cThe Break Down\u201d ","author_name":"Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire","author_url":"http:\/\/www.enlighten.nyc","html":"