Recharging and refueling

GIVEN our human condition, this is what we need. If our

gadgets need to be recharged regularly for them to continue serving

us, if our cars need to be refueled also so that they can continue to

operate, we also need to be regularly and even frequently recharged

and refueled so that we can go on with our life with dignity and

productivity. And ultimately, so that we can reach our definitive

goal.

            And we have to understand this as the need to be recharged

and refueled in all the aspects of our life—physical, spiritual,

mental, emotional, etc. We should have a wholistic approach to this,

and not limit ourselves to some aspects only.

            We cannot deny the fact that even if we are idle we

somehow drain ourselves of our energy and other resources. William

Cowper once said: “Absence of occupation is not rest; a mind quite

vacant is a mind distressed.”

            If that is so, how much more it would be if we lead a very

active life as we should try to do. We should see to it that we

develop a kind of system or plan for this need of ours to be met

properly. We have to be wary of our tendency to overwork ourselves or

to fall into addicting activism.

            We, for example, have to respect the hours of sleep and

rest for us, the proper diet, the physical exercises. We also have to

acknowledge the need to nourish and refresh our mind and soul through

studying and reading good and edifying materials, through prayer and

recollection, etc.

            We should cultivate healthy hobbies that can recover the

balance and stability of our emotions and passions. These can be

singing or dancing, playing some games, having a walk or excursion,

shopping, doing some minor house repairs, etc.

            Ancient common wisdom has recognized this need. “Mens sana

in corpore sano” (Healthy mind in a healthy body) goes one saying.

“When the heart is at ease, the body is healthy,” goes a Chinese

proverb. “When the soul is well, the body dances,” goes another.

            St. Thomas Aquinas once said: “It is requisite for the

relaxation of the mind that we make use, from time to time, of playful

deeds and jokes.”

            We have to see to it that the over-all effect of this

regular recharging and refueling is an optimistic and realistic

outlook. In fact, more than that, it should effect a spiritual and

supernatural outlook, keenly aware of our duties to sanctify ourselves

and to do apostolate.

            We have to see to it that our need for rest and

recreation, our recharging and refueling is not meant to pamper our

body only, or our feelings alone. It should put us in the proper state

of healthy life, keeping the proper hierarchy of values and ends that

are all ordered toward the ultimate goal, God.

            Of course, we should also be careful not to go to the

extreme of over-resting such that we forget to work and carry out our

other more important duties. We should see to it that whatever we do

to rest and recover our energies would increase our desire to work and

fulfill our responsibilities. If our rest and recreation do not have

this effect, then something is wrong.

            The writer Ernest Hemingway said something relevant about

this: “I still need more healthy rest in order to work at my best. My

health is the main capital I have and I want to administer it

intelligently.”

            Let’s help one another develop a good system of recharging

and refueling regularly for the good of everyone.