sab•bat•i•cal \sə-'ba-ti-kəl\ (n.): In theory, a self-actualizing, regenerative, and employer-supported journey of adventure and reflection that gives workers a respite from work for a month or longer.
Sabbaticals are typically used by those who may be more financially fortunate than us. Who wouldn't want an extended hiatus.
The Society for Human Resource Management conducted a survey of U.S. businesses and found that fewer than half offered paid time off to employees.
The word sabbatical comes from the shmita or Sabbath year in religious teachings. The Torah mandates that Jewish farmers work for six years and then take the seventh for rest, literally letting the fields, the beasts of burden, and people recuperate and appreciate the fruits of their labor. The Sabbath day — and secular weekend — continue this tradition of no work. The modern-day sabbatical is an extension of this.
There are a few types of sabbaticals: lateral, generative, and recuperative.
The lateral sabbatical — follows a rich tradition of learning and exploration. It includes activities such as teaching, volunteering abroad, or working in an industry related to yours in order to gain new skills in a given area of expertise. These sabbaticals are usually financially supported by academic institutions and sometimes, businesses.
A generative sabbatical — that year off work to travel, explore, draw, write a book, or otherwise indulge in creative pursuits — is perhaps the most idealized. It is forward-looking and optimistic.
A recuperative sabbatical — is the most needed and actually the most practical. It is often unplanned and occurs only after the “sabbatee” reaches a breaking point — brought on by a chaotic atmosphere. The pressure to constantly over-deliver is causing us to lose our ability to control and channel our energy in positive ways.
This is why we become burned out.
There is Randomness, Spontaneity, and Serendipity — all of which parts are essential for us to create.
I have learned that this is the best form of repair instead of running and screaming from a hotel.
I understand that this is a sweet ideology; recuperative time off —even though our corporate culture does not allow for this.
So here we are, left with managing our own time.
After living around some major energy vampires for the past 11 months, I found myself in need of a haitus. It’s been awhile since I’ve actually sat down and just listened to the silence.
Now here we are....in the lusty month of May, and it’s time to crawl out of that rabbit hole and experience life…after all I deserve it.
Everyone deserves a break.
I took Amtrak across the country and ended up here, in a friend’s house —the suburbs of Virginia Beach, Virginia. I’m not sure how long I will stay....all I know is that I intend to experience life. Eat wholesome and simple. Sit in the sun more often. Grow an organic garden. Stay up late and sleep in.
I still think of what happened to me in California, and I get angry. However, I have to work on letting it go....and by that I mean to —Understand it —Own the experience —Learn from it —Become wise.
In letting go of the anger associated, I can hold on to the experience, because it is a part of who I am today.
I trust that the anger will soon dissolve away.
It’s pretty cool here, so quiet, so that it seems like I am alone….hours can go by so slowly, and the days run together in perfect rhythm.
I have found my largest issue of the day is which bottle of wine am I going to open, and the biggest enjoyment is having a deep conversation with my friend Chuck—I enjoy his intellect.I am slowing getting back into a rythmn where the early parts of the day can be ideal for thinking.You can create so many things from the silence.
I enjoy the evening time as part of some type of inspiration, whether it be a deep discussion, or reading, and even listening to music. I suppose the possibility of discovering another passion may arise. Who knows….I say the purpose of my sabbatical would be to press my boundaries, and explore new parts of myself, learn something different, engage in activities that I wouldn’t necessarily do. Step outside of my comfort zone and become more authentic.
I must say that I am so grateful to my sister, Alissa for helping me out when I needed it. My happiness today has a lot to do with my sister’s help. Now that I have people surrounding me that I love and appreciate and who are genuinely glad to see me and and who are also happy to share some of their life with me.
Actually, I haven’t had a good friend in a long time, and it's always good to have witnesses of ones’ life....so it would be nice to have some type of companionship.
Chuck’s life in some ways, astonishingly enough, is so paralleled to my first relationships, yet in other ways it's so different. We do have one common thread–we are both starting over from previous lives. We both are arising from the ashes, and starting a new.
Just like the Phoenix, I was born again (arisen from the ashes), to a more keen awareness of what I do with my time and energy.
I want my life to mean something.
Not what is shown on television, where these reality shows produce an illusion that having a meaningful life is only a possibility for those who are financially fortunate. Let us arise from the illusion that men knows best, and that the government is to be obeyed, and that working for $$ is more important than working for something you trust and believe in—something for the betterment of all.
I don’t like labels or boxed in views, but I suppose if there were placed in a box and labeled, it would read:
There are millions of peole like myself, all around the world doing the same thing….in one form or another. You too, should spend some time over the next few months exploring, experiencing, and learning.
I trust this article may encourage you to reexamine your own path in life by tapping into the creative energy and allowing yourself to blossom, and live a more authentic life where you work towards the betterment of the whole. No matter what, we are all engaged contributors to the whole, whether we realize it or not…..so why not band together, and jump to the same page….let us make our lives meaningful.
Find your purpose...it is hidden in the silence....be sure to listen.
Take care, and I'll be back soon.
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