So, it used to be against the law to work on the “first” or “last” day of the week. The Bible talks about “on the seventh day you are to rest”. God took six days to create the heavens and the earth and everything from the sun to the lakes and rivers and forests. And as a result, in the Judea-Christian world and in many other religions there was always a dedicated day to rest which then was mandated by law. For Christian nations that day was Sunday and stores did not open, you did not till the fields, you did not host events or such… you went to church and rested the remainder of the day. I remember (aging myself) when retail stores were never open on Sundays and even Mondays (ensuring retail staff got a “weekend” as well).
Think about our lives today. Sunday is just another day. We have events like Walks and Bikes and Runs, we host sporting events and festivals, we have neighborhood block parties and kids’ birthday parties and so much more. It is a really busy day. So much for the “day of rest”.
Imagine if we could still mandate that Sunday was truly a day of rest. It would be illegal for you to reply or even read emails, attend children’s birthday parties or work-related required event functions or go to the gym or vacuum the house or make big dinners. Imagine if that happened or if just you alone (JOMO over FOMO) did it… there would be chaos. Your kids would revolt they would cry that they are being isolated from society, work would fire you, your spouse would ask why the BBQ was not fired up or the house clean? Ugh it would be chaos.
Relax… that is never going to happen. But perhaps you can add a little bit of “Sabbath rest” to a colleague or client or family member or friend. I recently read an article about a woman who after having her second child had one of her friends over who brought a gift then said “I need you to know that the post office does not deliver thank you notes to my house” (or in modern day “I need you to know that my email provider blocks all thank you notes sent to my email address”). However you look at it, it is a humorous approach to absolving the “mom” from having to think about even writing a note. She was basically told; ‘relax, I do not want a thank you note from you for this gift’ and by doing so lessened the workload of that busy mother of a baby and toddler.
You know how busy you are and everyone in our industry is overworked and has a ton of deadlines they are not meeting. What can you do today to lighten that load for a colleague or a client or someone personal? Can you say something like “hey no need to send a courier over for the banners… I am close to your office today… I will drop them off” or could you offer a pair of tickets to a show or event you have access to for someone who just needs a night out… lol or for their kids to go out to see so they can have a quiet night at home? What little thing can you do today and every once in a while, to bring some respite or “sabbath rest” to someone you know who needs it. It does not have to be big… just like the “do not send me a thank you note” – it is just that little respite that sometimes means the most.
And if you want an event where there will be no rest… (unless you book an extra day just to rest away from home) register today for the Western Sponsorship Congress – Alberta Forum! It is two full days packed with workshops, panel discussions, round table interactions, keynotes, Dine Around networking evening and so much more. It may not be restful, but it will provide you with an immense amount of sponsorship insights and an exceptional amount of networking. See you in Edmonton.
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