For the last 7 days, there has been a lovely surprise in my inbox. Uneeka Jay has been sending me love notes. Well, not just me, hundreds (probably thousands!) of people have been receiving love notes as part of her Love Rewrite, 7 Day Self-Love Challenge. Each day has contained a message and a challenge about learning to love yourself. Every one of them has been full of wisdom and plenty to make you stop and think about how you treat yourself. Having recently moved half way across the country to start a new chapter in my life, ended my engagement and being involved in a long, occasionally frustrating job hunt, boy am I having trouble loving myself sometimes. Her messages came just at the right time. For that I send her many, many Thanks!
This mornings challenge was simple. A single word. Rest. 
Wow, did that really hit home. I read it. I read the accompanying message (partially quoted below) I realized how I had done exactly this to myself and how, unconsciously, it and the need to stop doing it had played a huge part in my decision to uproot my life. Even more, I saw so many of the wonderful people in my life in this message. People I care about deeply. People who have been not only my friends, but my mentors, fellow instigators, greatest cheerleaders and kindest critics. So, in the spirit of Uneeka’s sharing, I am sharing her message in the hopes that it may speak to them also.
Are you busy? Always running around? Live by your schedule? Constantly connected to social media? If so, you may not be demonstrating self-love. Being busy is a way to avoid dealing with how we feel about our lives and ourselves. The busier we are the less time we have to truly think about where we are and where we want to go. Being busy also gives the perception that we are happy and fulfilled when we are really drained. A true badge of honor is your ability to rest..
Gloria K. Bell 