Despite numerous stories extolling the profound rewards of taking time away, it\u2019s an idea that is not being as heartily embraced as it might be. In fact, many people find the thought downright terrifying.<\/p>\n
Because the notion of regular sabbaticals throughout our lifetime has been so ignored in recent times, there\u2019s some confusion over what constitutes a true sabbatical. My definition of sabbatical is time away with a purpose<\/i>. The purpose of such a time is not to abandon your life, but to enrich it.<\/p>\n
In the original concept, first defined in the Old Testament book of Hebrews, a sabbatical was to be taken by everyone, every seven years. During this year off, fields were to lie fallow, debts were to be forgiven, relationships were to be repaired and introspection was encouraged.<\/p>\n
Over time, of course, the notion disappeared and today many people don\u2019t even observe a weekly Sabbath, much less consider an entire year of restoration.<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re in a year divisible by seven or not, here are several signs that it is the perfect time to consider a sabbatical of your own:<\/p>\n
\u00b0 You can\u2019t remember the last time you had a new idea you were excited about.<\/p>\n
\u00b0 You\u2019ve reached all of your goals.<\/p>\n
\u00b0 You\u2019ve reached none of your goals.<\/p>\n
\u00b0 Your kids think you\u2019re a nerd and you suspect they\u2019re right.<\/p>\n
\u00b0 You have a nagging suspicion that you\u2019d be really good at something if you only \u00a0had time to learn how to do it.<\/p>\n
\u00b0 You get wistful every time a plane flies overhead.<\/p>\n
\u00b0 Nobody ever asks you what\u2019s new.<\/p>\n
\u00b0 A long-term relationship or career has come to an end.<\/p>\n
\u00b0 You\u2019re ready to find a new hometown.<\/p>\n
\u00b0 You\u2019re tired of being an armchair traveler and want to see distant lands for \u00a0yourself.<\/p>\n
\u00b0 You feel drawn to donate your time and talents to a humanitarian cause.<\/p>\n
\u00b0 You need time to do research or start a long-term project.<\/p>\n
\u00b0 Your soul is weary.<\/p>\n
If you agreed with any of these, it\u2019s time to let go of excuses and get going. As architect Sarah Susanka reminds us, \u201cWhat I discovered is that when you make the time and the space for what you long to do, everything else shifts to accommodate it. It never works the other way around. If you wait until there\u2019s time to do what you want to do, you\u2019ll be waiting until your eighty-fifth birthday.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Despite numerous stories extolling the profound rewards of taking time away, it\u2019s an idea that is not being as heartily embraced as it might be. In fact, many people find the thought downright terrifying. Because the notion of regular sabbaticals throughout our lifetime has been so ignored in recent times, there\u2019s some confusion over what…<\/p>\n