If I took Sabbath seriously, what would it look like? Real rest: what is that? Not answering to my demands for production and perfection. Not being on point, at red alert, watching a clock.
Am I capable of releasing the tiller?
Yesterday I took an unscripted Sabbath. I attended my Quaker church, open to possibilities. I returned home for a peanut butter and jam sandwich, a totally un-Sunday lunch. I was invited to a local art gallery. That sounded spontaneous. The showing was themed with unexpected diverse works. Nice.
From there I stopped at a market that I’d not intended to enter, turned into the parking lot when I’d meant to drive by. Bought random stuff. Stopped at the milk tea place next door and tried a soy milk mung bean tea with boba because I’d never tried that before. It was good!
I’d intended to watch a Master Class but took a nap instead. Woke ninety minutes later, refreshed. Took a walk, heading for a street I’d never tried. Saw the mallards in the picture above also taking a stroll. The light at 5:30 pm created sharply-defined shadows. Six days per week, my walks are programmed 30-45 minutes long. Yesterday I entered my front door after 28 minutes and didn’t feel a speck of guilt.
Made a dinner I spotted in NY Times this morning. I didn’t have access to the recipe so I winged it. Broccoli soaked in a Soy Maple marinade for thirty minutes and then roasted for 20 minutes in my toaster oven at 400 degrees. I added walnuts in the last five minutes, then spooned it on California sprouted rice and dusted it with sesame seeds. I devoured it in a bowl I bought in Little Tokyo years ago. I’ll be cooking this again.
After dinner, I saw Avengers: Infinity War instead of continuing to binge-watch Eureka episodes. I followed it up by watching Steve Martin teach a Master Class about gathering material through observation. Another theme I discovered yesterday. The class on comedy wasn’t on my class list to finish this year.
I enjoyed my unscripted Sabbath. I’m ready for the coming week and excited about what next Sunday will bring.
Happy writing, walking, and resting! Michelle
Michelle Knowlden writes... 
I enjoyed your unscripted Sabbath too! Isn’t it nice when we unchain the day and just be? This is what it means to take time to smell the roses.