“The key to a successful beard-growing effort is commitment. Just make a decision to grow a beard and stick with it. Do not be swayed by naysayers or lapses in your own confidence. Do not let a transient period of itching send you running for the razor. Just make a commitment to grow the beard and stick with it. Make it non-negotiable and always remember that. It helps to set a commitment date. Be sure that you allow yourself at least six weeks. Then, stick to your resolution not to cave and shave prior to your commitment” (Sourced from theartofmanliness.com)
So some of your may have noticed I’ve gone a little more hirsute recently, coinciding with get less mobile. And no, there is no direct physiological connection between the Achilles tendon and the ability to weld a razor. Simply that the change in daily rhythm due to the enforced lay-up was not initially conducive to shaving, and so there was a bit of ‘why not?’ involved. Mixed feedback so far.
Anyway, following Alistair McKenzie’s message a few weeks ago (August 13th), I started reading some articles on theologyofwork.org – the website Alistair mentioned, specifically one called ‘Balancing Rhythms of Rest and Work: Overview’. In brief summary, the article discussed that we are designed to alternate rest and work. Too much work leaves us run down and less productive. Too much play and motivation and engagement suffer.
I can now see that I have been in a position of too much work, not enough rest. Massive correction to this on August 13th, where only hours after reading that article on rest and work, I ruptured my left Achilles, and found myself with an enforced change in what I did everyday. Periods of ‘rest’ in that I then had periods of reflection, reading, talking, thinking. The ability to recharge a part of my life and make me feel less like a downhill mountain biker without brakes.
This led to the desire to exert more control over my life, and make proactive decisions instead of reactive. I want to make positive decisions in drawing the line between work and rest, work and family, work and friends, work and fun. Sometimes it will be as simple as leaving work at five, sometimes harder. So a decision was made, it needed commitment and for me to stick with it. Not to be swayed by naysayers or lapses in my own confidence. I didn’t want to give in when the change irritated me. Non-negotiable – I must remember that, Commitment date? It’s been six weeks this Sunday. I’m giving it until I can walk freely again – the beard that is, I want to stick with keeping the rest and work in balance.