You know that moment when you pour a fresh cup of coffee so hot you have to sip it slowly or risk burning your tongue? Then suddenly, you’re interrupted. You set the cup down, just for a minute, and by the time you come back, it’s cold. A small inconvenience, one that happens more often than not. So, you get up, slide the mug into the microwave, and press 1 to reheat. Back to emails, phone calls, projects waiting to be finished. Somewhere along the way, you forget about the coffee altogether. Was it left in the microwave? There it is, press 1 to reheat again. Reheating becomes a habit, a ritual, a daily loop on repeat.
Life moves fast, sometimes too fast. We burn the candle at both ends, at least I do. I know full well I should slow down, but the drive is stronger than common sense. If you’re like me, you keep going. For me, life sometimes feels like it’s asking for a password reset. Maybe that’s the analogy I reach for because I practically live on my computer. Resets are frustrating, but sometimes necessary. (I get it. I don’t usually listen, but I get it.) Cue the age‑old questions we all ask ourselves at some point, "What am I doing?" And just as quickly, "Am I the only one who feels this way?" Here’s the thing, exhaustion isn’t laziness, it’s a signal telling you to rest. Rest isn’t quitting, it’s refueling.
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about making a conscious effort to rest both my body and my mind. Today, that decision was made for me. Around 4:30 this morning, a quiet rain began to fall. The window was open. There was no urgency, no “I’ve got to get up and get going” thought, just calm. I pulled the comforter over my head and snoozed a little longer than usual. Sleeping in until 7 a.m. is out of character for me. However, once up, I poured my coffee, went to my office, and slipped right back into my daily ritual of reading emails, balancing my checkbook (yes, I do it daily, old habits don’t leave), and setting up appointments for next month. End of the month means it’s time for my, From the Editor, column. Sometimes these pieces flow easily, other times I find myself wondering, what I should write? Today was different. Without thinking too much, I just started jotting down thoughts about being busy. I began to wonder about why I do what I do and how familiar this pace has become. I’m lucky, I can control my busyness these days, although it takes a conscious effort to do so. Shh, don't tell anyone, but I think I might be a workaholic; but I digress.
Over the years I’ve noticed I seem to write better when it rains. Why? Maybe it’s because the world feels quieter. On sunny days, everything seems loud and hurried, full of pressure to go, do, and accomplish. Rain softens the edges. It turns noise into background music. On rainy days, my thoughts don’t trip over each other. Ideas aren’t forced; they simply arrive. Heck, even my coffee tastes better.
Life is busier these days, not just for me but for everyone. Quiet moments are harder to squeeze in. But when it rains, rain insists. It has a way of pressing pause, reminding us that not every moment needs to be filled. So today, I’m taking the hint. I’m going to slow down, sit in the quiet, and listen to the rain. Yes, no doubt, I’ll reheat my coffee at least one more time. The column is finished. There’s always more to do, but for now, for today, I’m going to shut off the computer and do nothing at all. And honestly, that might be exactly what’s needed.
So, if you’re reading this while your coffee goes cold, your inbox fills up, and your' to‑do list keeps growing, maybe you too should pause, slow down, and give busy a break. Take time to sit in the quiet when it finds you. Let yourself rest, even if it's just for a moment. Trust me, the world can wait a minute.
Until next time....Sip....Laugh....Repeat
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