A Break is a Mini-Celebration

Twenty-four tiny learners stretch up high then melt to the floor like ice cream.  They stomp like elephants and tiptoe like butterflies.  If anyone had walked into my kindergarten classroom, they would have seen each of these fun sights – or many others – throughout the day. 

In education, we call them “brain breaks.”  A brain break activates parts of the brain that have been quiet or quiets the part that has been working hard.  I think of it as a mini-celebration of the work that’s been done. 

In our house, January held us tight with illness and travel.  February kept us busy with deadlines and events.  I’d been indoors for most of the two months, but one day….

The temperature hadn’t risen above 40 degrees, and rain had only subsided minutes before.  I couldn’t be indoors another minute.  My home, usually a quiet refuge, was a reminder of all the things I still needed to do.  My laptop beckoned, reminding me of the hours of work I needed to complete before day’s end the following day.  Nothing sounded good for dinner.  I was restless.

I grabbed a blanket, opened the door and was hit with a blast of arctic air.  Instead of retreating inside, I braved the cold and planted myself, wrapped completely in the quilt, on the patio chair.  The cold air woke my senses. 

I stayed for just a moment – a break.  It was just what I needed. 

What do you need, sweet friend?

Have you been inside for too many days? 

Throw on a hoodie and head outside.  Lift your head and feel the sun on your face. Or sit still in the dark of evening, notice the shadows that fall and the stillness that settles.

Have you worked too long and too hard? 

Set it aside.  Allow the cobwebs to be cleaned away.  Look to the faces of those you love and let your mind be preoccupied with something new.   

Have you been too still? 

Take a minute to move.  Stretch.  Walk.  Go somewhere new to see life from a different perspective. 

Has your heart been burdened and overwhelmed? 

Shift your focus to all that is good.  Allow yourself to laugh, find something funny and turn on your giggle box.

Celebrate the beauty around you.  Honor the hard work you’ve put in.  Delight in the day – for this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Hugs and blessings – Bethany