Rest is Productive (& You Probably Need to Tinkle)

“Back in the day,” as they say – I worked from home as a Medical Transcriptionist.  I loved that job so much!  But whenever I would listen to the physician say something over and over and over, and I still couldn’t decipher what they were saying – I learned to get up, to go use the bathroom, get a drink of water, throw a load of laundry in the washer, and then come back to it.  Nine times out of ten after I tinkled whatever I couldn’t make out before, would suddenly be clear as day.

Later when I become a medical transcription instructor, my students would frequently ask me to listen to a word they could not understand.  I would chuckle and tell them “I’ll listen, but first – you probably need to take a little break, and go use the bathroom.  Just trust me.”  They’d return a few minutes later, put their headphones back on, and I would hear them laugh at themselves for not having understood a word that was now so crystal clear.

Fast forward many years, the same thing could now be said about my IV starting skills at work.  Every single time I know I am getting a patient who needs a peripheral IV – I introduce myself, and then I excuse myself to use the bathroom and wash my hands.  I joke about it, but I’m convinced it’s truly “a thing,” just like full moons and crazy shifts are to every RN everywhere.  You’ll never convince me otherwise.

Apparently my listening skills AND my IV starting skills are directly related to the fullness of my bladder.

While my love of blogging may not have anything to do with my bladder, I AM hoping that there is a similar result having had a new Lazy Boy recliner delivered yesterday, which now sits next to my (also new) cozy little fireplace.   I published two books on a cheap laptop that were written in my last recliner, and this chair is much, much nicer, so it’s my prayer that the new purchase results in more blog posts, more books read, and more serious prayer time, with a direct correlation of comfort to creativity, just as there was with my bladder to my ears and IV start skills.  But we shall see!

I’m really hoping I’m on to something, because I truly love to write, but have found it so much more difficult over the past couple of years.  If I can be honest – I used to be able to sit down and just blog away on random simple things that happened during my day.  But over the years, I’ve sat down more times than I can count, really longing to get a point across, but having my fingertips land on the keys for nothing more than a nap while my mind goes completely blank.

Oh sure, my obligations seem to have increased over the years and my energy level decreased, but I’ll also admit that my creativity is paralyzed at times by – dare I say – unnecessary distractions.

Someone I heard speak last week mentioned the dangers of social media and doom scrolling robbing us of the mental capacity to think clearly.  Today I read that constant scrolling and notifications prevent the boredom and solitude needed for deep thought and idea incubation.

I am well aware that I need solitude but – I need to be bored for deep thought?!   YES!  That’s IT!  I need some BOREDOM!

Who Knew?!   

If you are unable to sense my sarcasm in that last question, stop here and go tinkle.  If you still don’t hear the sarcasm, try doing a load of laundry.  (It’s a recipe for success – I promise).

And I have a sign on my refrigerator that says, “Rest IS Productive!”  So it’s not like I’m not constantly reminded to rest.  But I’ve been known to not always follow good advice.  I’m easily distracted, (hey look!  a chicken!), and you guessed it – I probably need to use the bathroom.  (But you probably do too).

So today, February 15, 2026, I’m setting some personal goals (in my new recliner next to my cozy little fireplace).

I’m going to remember that sometimes, Jesus got away to spend time in solitude, prayer, and worship.  That might be what the world would call boring, so I’m going to go ahead and get bored with Jesus this week.   (How will I know the voice of my Father if I don’t take a little more time out to listen to Him?)

I’m going to stop feeling obligated to say yes to every little thing this world throws at me.  Maybe that’s why my fingers fall asleep at the keyboard, yet have no problem scrolling endlessly through social media where ordinary people think everyone else needs to see how they start their day.  (Newsflash – you don’t brush your teeth any different than I do).

I want to be less available for all of the nonsense this world has to throw at me, and more present for what the Lord has had uniquely planned for me since before creation, and that only He can give me the necessary rest and strength to accomplish.

And maybe, just maybe…    this super comfy recliner, next to my cozy little fireplace, might just kick out another little something creative in the future.

Rest is Productive.  It’s true.

And now if you’ll excuse me, I need to use the restroom 🙂

And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.  Mark 6:31