Why it's necessary to recharge your batteries.....

Last months TRP writer's retreat prompted this post. While I was gone Faith had to take over my duties. It was a rest well earned and well accepted and with some of my favorite people--writers! Enjoy!
~ Stephy (Head Troll, Troll River Publications)

I always use the phrase "recharge your batteries" but not in this context until very recently. I use it when referring to a cell phone, you know? As in "recharging a phone". Recharge your batteries is a phrase meaning to rest or relax for a period of time so that you feel energetic again; as defined in the Cambridge Dictionaries Online.

Today, we live in a "going" society. Everything is about go, go, go and go, 24/7 work time has become our norm and is celebrated as hard work. I don't blame us for this, different situations force us to stretch and step right in. The biggest situation in my opinion is the high standards of living causing us to want to work extra hard in order to survive.

You can want to recharge your batteries for a variety of reasons; could be about your work life, relationship, family and many more but it's amazing how we never feel the need to actually take a break and rest. I have been thinking about it and I can't still figure out what was going through the mind from whomever came up with this phrase, but rest assured it's weighty and very crucial.

Let's look at it from the point of view of recharging a gadget, in this case I will use a phone:

Phone charged at 100%
When a cell phone is fully charged, it's functionality and usability is longer. I use my cell phone as my internet hot-spot whenever I want to work on a longer project. I ensure it is fully recharged so it can serve me longer.

Phone at 50%
When the battery recharge level of a cell phone drops to 50%, it still works pretty well, but the duration of its service will be shorter as compared to a fully recharged one.

Phone at 0%
At 0% a cell phone has no functionality. Mine actually gives me a warning when at 15%, then goes off at 5%. Now I know that's the maximum it can go in serving me.

One thing I would love to note is that this is a gadget, it is non-living but it is made in such a way to allow proper functionality by being able to be recharged. Looking at it from this point of view, how much more do we (human beings) need to recharge our batteries?

Every time we put ourselves in the line to overwork, something gives in. I have witnessed instances where family, marriages, relationships, social life and even health gives in. We put so much energy, time, effort, emotions....name it, into work so much that we loose the focus on other aspects of life. I know I am making it sound like it is a bad thing to give 100% in our work....NO, NO. I am neither encouraging laziness nor am I propagating staying back and doing nothing. I am point out a fact of life....we all in one way or another need to take some time to rest or relax. It may seem as luxury but its worth it.

Recharging our batteries makes us more efficient. Have you ever taken a retreat, vacation or just time out from your day to day schedule? How did it feel when you got back?

That feeling is indescribable. I don't know about you but the last time I actually recharged my batteries I got back and achieved a ton of stuff I would have in months. My energy and psych was all the place. I got back in a "rock and roll" spirit. I could clearly make decisions, work for longer hours, multitask a couple of responsibilities....God knows I need one some time soon.

Family and relationships are key to me, I prefer to spend time with loved ones when recharging my batteries. It is one of the reasons I sometimes have the desire to recharge. I am not sure who is like me in this but for whatever reason, we all need to take some time out to just "relaaaaaax". Once in a while I usually feel like digging a big hole on the face of the ground and taking time off inside a cave where no one can find or reach me, but in such moments I hold back because I remember I have my little girl who solely depends on me and if I were to vanish.....literally...I would be punishing her big time.

Recharging our batteries just like we recharge our gadgets is essential in helping keep our productivity and functionality on track.

Have you ever felt the need to recharge your batteries? How did that go? Did you satisfy that need? Why did you feel the need to satisfy your crave for time out?
I would like to hear your story.
Share with me in the comment below....:


Faith Ombewa,
Assistant,
Troll River Publications

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