Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about rest. How much we long for it, how much we need it, how it’s a reflection of our humanness, what a joy it can be. It seems like I rush through my days, hurrying until the weekend. And then the weekend is a time to get things done. We’ve got a monstrous yard, household projects, places to be, grocery shopping to do, birthday parties, weddings, meetings, go go go. And since we choose to serve at our church in full capacity, Sunday is hardly a day of rest in our family (note, it’s our choice because we feel called to it). So I’ve been looking for ways to carve out time for true rest – which for me is anything that feeds my soul, not simply sleeping or ceasing activity.
Saturday night was my first foray into this as an intentional practice. I came home from the grocery store to find the King and Eldest Princess conked out on the couch around 8:30 PM. It was the sweetest thing ever. So after I carried the Eldest Princess to bed (which was quite a feat since she’s gotten a lot taller lately), I put away my groceries (hey you have to start with an hour or two before you go an entire day right?), fixed a pot of coffee, put on my snugglies, plated the single serving Tiramisu I had bought for myself at Target, grabbed a new book to read, and threw Joshua Bell’s newest CD in the CD player. It was an evening made in heaven – true rest.
I had heard of Bell before – the world renowned violinist – mainly because I knew he attended IU, I’ve seen him on PBS a couple of times (Sesame Street of course!), and had read the inspirational e-mail forward about him playing in the Metro station. But, I had never truly listened to his music. “At Home with Friends” has now hatched a new passion for his music! The album contains amazing violin music (no big surprise) but features a number of duets from some of my other favs like Kristen Chenowith, Chris Botti, Josh Groban, Sting, and Regina Spektor. The recordings were inspired by the soirees that Bell has in his home with other musicians, actors, comedians, chefs, and artists who share their talent (wouldn’t you love to be a fly on the wall?) together.
My evening was filled with true rest, beauty, and rejuvenation due to Joshua Bell and his friends (and by the way how cool would it be to have friends like those?). And I can see this CD becoming a regular part of my practice of rest. Now if you think this might be a CD you’d like to get your paws on, then I have good news. Thanks to Lady Michelle at One2One Network one Queen of Free Reader gets a copy of their very own! Here’s how you can win.
1) Leave a comment with your favorite way to recharge and rest.
2) Tweet on Twitter, update your Status Message on Facebook, or Blog on your personal blog with details of the Joshua Bell “At Home With Friends” Giveaway on Queen of Free. You may leave an additional SEPARATE comment for each thing you do. To increase your odds be sure you leave separate comments. Don’t say “I tweeted, facebooked, and blogged.” on your comment. That counts as only 1 entry. Leave 3 separate comments. Got it?
3) Subscribe to my blog through e-mail or a RSS feeder (or let me know you already do) and leave an ADDITIONAL, SEPARATE (I can’t count ’em unless you do) comment for one more chance to win.
Comments will close on Wednesday October 7, 2009 at 11:00 PM with the winner announced Thursday, October 8th at 8 AM (we’re traveling but I should have internet access). Good luck and get to commenting!
One2One Network provided me with Joshua Bell’s “At Home with Friends” CD to review. No monies were received for this review nor was it edited by representatives of Joshua Bell, the One2One Network or any other PR company. I always give you my honest opinion regarding products so you can make an informed purchase decision.
www.queenoffree.net
I recharge by curling up with a good book- or have a big cooking day in the kitchen. I’m an introvert, so doing something on my own is relaxing.
I’m an RSS subscriber!
Sounds like an amazing CD and would love to enter, but as I just won recently, I would love for someone else to win too! Thank you for these exciting contests. They are really fun and a great thrill to win.
Please do not enter my name in this contest. Laura
I love to light a candle, put my feet up and play around on the laptop when the kids and husband go to bed!
I put a link on my facebook page to this contest and I’m trying now to subscribe to your blog! I believe I am now signed up.
I just subscribed to your blog. I believe I met all of the contest requirements now!
I have several ways that I like to relax and recharge. On nice cool evenings I love to sit out on the porch and swing and watch the birds. In the winter I like to make a mug of cocoa and surf the net after everyone is in bed. Thanks for the chance to win!
I love to dream about resting sweetly with the feel oneness. Uplifting and inspiring music playing and absolute no clocks around. Resting, being, breathing and silently doing as boldly believing.
To relax is to grab a book and a fluffly blanket and curl up in my favorite chair! In the fall, I LOVE to curl up outside with the cool breeze (still wrapped in a nice fluffly blanket of course)!!
Tweet tweet!! http://twitter.com/treatsforme/status/4554269161
With an infant who’s teething, a toddler, and chronic mono, I’d have to say a NAP! 🙂
I subscribe!
I subscribed to your blog! And I love your contest idea! Reading and listening to good music is the perfect way to relax and unwind.
It’s a great service you provide! Thanks for allowing me to subscribe
Curl up with a good book on the couch under a warm, fuzzy blanket.
My way to recharge is to spend an hour or two escaping into a good book–a luxury I haven’t been able to enjoy since my daughter was born 6 weeks ago!
Baking a warm loaf of homemade bread while listening to good music would be a real treat, pounding and kneading the bread to the rhythm of Joshua’s violin, serenading me— so glad I subscribed!
I graduated from the I.U. School of Music where Josh attended school, so that’s a good reason for me to win his CD. Music is definitely one of the best ways to relax. I also enjoy watching a late night movie by myself.
I’m an RSS subscriber!