And on the seventh day G-d...ran errands?

"Vayechulu hashamayim v’ha-aretz…The heavens and the earth were finished, and all their array. On the seventh day God finished His work that He was doing, and He stopped on the seventh day from all the work that He had done. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because on it God stopped from all the work of creation that He had done."

So after G-d was done with everything - he was finished with the animals, with Adam and Eve...he had gotten the lights situated and the water was up and running...he didn't then go and do all of the little things he had put off while he was so busy creating the world? He didn't call a friend and say, "You know, I really thought it would take seven days, but it only took six, so I'm going to get up early tomorrow and run some errands and thought you might want to come..."

And with all of the things he created, he didn't start questioning himself? He wasn't thinking, "the darkness seemed like a good idea at first, but now I'm thinking it's kind of extreme..."

That really is a miracle! Because this is what I do. The minute my week is over is exactly when I start questioning things. I think, "maybe I should not have pushed back as much during that meeting," or "maybe I could have worked a few hours longer." And then, I don't rest...no, I then go and do everything I didn't have time to do while I was trying to finish my week.

I am an overachiever. The more I do, the more there is to be done. I return one phone call and then try to squeeze in another. I check my email in the evening and then start working on what can wait until tomorrow. I set a goal in my head, knowing that I won't truly be satisfied until I've surpassed it entirely. At some point, it's just time to relax.

"And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because on it God stopped from all the work of creation that He had done."

Yes, that is what I'll do tonight. I'll stop. I won't get up during commercial breaks and fold laundry...I won't then go do another load...no. I will rest. Maybe not for an entire day, but at least for a night, or for a few hours, I will rest.

I will start my first week on my journey to leverage my Judaism to thrive by staying in my warm, cozy apartment and looking out the window as the car and street lights sparkle on this cold, winter night. After all, I'm commanded to, right?

Treatment of the Week: Relax

Sit on the floor with your back straight against the wall. Rest your hands comfortably on your legs, close your eyes, and take a deep breath. Exhale slowly. Repeat, thinking about the things that make you relax. Repeat until you know what you need to do tonight, or this week, to slow down.

Question of the Week: What are you going to do this week to relax?