Hello friends of Project HOPE, I hope this week starts with the best energy for everyone. I tell you that yesterday I decided to take a break, something that, honestly, I needed. The daily routine involves us so much that sometimes we don't even realize how exhausted we are, mentally and physically. And that, in the end, takes its toll on us.
So yesterday I said “enough” for a while. I went out for a walk, without eagerness and without a fixed direction. The idea was simple: disconnect from everyday life, change the environment and let my mind breathe a little. It's amazing how something as simple as walking, looking at the sky or feeling the wind can make you feel so different.
The funny thing is that we are used to thinking that resting is wasting time. They sell us the idea that we always have to be busy, working or producing something. But the reality is that, if we don't stop, we end up exploited, without desire for anything and with a mental load that becomes increasingly heavier. That's not life.
Here in Colombia, as you know, we work a lot. And I'm not just referring to the legal hours, but to what really happens on the street: shifts of 10, 12 and even 14 hours, 6 or 7 days a week. That's why, from time to time, we have to take a break, because otherwise we end up living only to work, and that can't be.
Yesterday, while I was walking, I dedicated myself to focusing my mind on other things: on how lucky I am to be healthy, to be able to move, to breathe easily, and to enjoy, even if it is a small moment of calm. It wasn't a long break or anything special, but it was enough to come back with more energy and a better disposition for this week.
Therefore, I tell you: give yourself that time. Don't wait for your body or mind to take its toll. Sometimes it's enough to go out, change the environment and disconnect for a while. Life cannot be just work, friends, because if not, what's the point? I wish you a great week, that you can recharge your batteries and enjoy the simple things. Sometimes, that's where true rest lies. See you!