Money and Rest

       I have a good attitude toward money.  As a husband and a father, money is the substance to provide for the needs of my family.  I don't worship money or think about it all the time but it is important and needs to be managed appropriately.  Currently, I feel very blessed for the money I have.  All my basic needs are met, as well as my families.  If I were to worship money it would consume me and I wouldn't ever have time to think about anything else. All my personal relationships would be negatively affected. If I had the thought that money could buy me happiness it would take me only a short time to realize that fault.  If I viewed money as a means to serve others, only then would it bring happiness. I firmly believe that paying tithing and fast offerings perpetuates a righteous view of money. Being a faithful tithe payer has blessed me with the financial security I have today and will continue to bless me.  According to Stephen W. Gibson the rules to prosper are as follows: seek the lord and have hope in him, keep the commandments including temporal ones, think about money and plan how you can become self-reliant, take advantage of chances for learning, learn the laws upon which the blessings of wealth are predicated, and do not send away the naked, the hungry, the thirsty or the sick or those who are held captive.
      I have thought a lot about rest after reading chapter 7 in A Field Guide for a Heros Journey.  I agree with the phrase "All work and no play makes johny a dull boy".  Through out my long academic career, I have always set aside Sunday as a day of rest from my studies. After a long intense week of studying I was always relieved when Sunday came. It was a great excuse to not study.  Striving to keep the sabbath day holy can give you the power and energy to get through very difficult curriculum. I've also lived by the adage, work hard play hard. I remember some long weeks that Sunday wasn't always enough and I needed additional time for a mental break. The activities I would choose were usually fun and physically demanding. These activities and mental breaks would restore my flame to push forward with clear thoughts and mental endurance. Currently I'm very grateful for home life.  The demands and stresses at work can be quickly washed away when greeted at home by a happy child or loving wife.  Occasionally I find it difficult to rest. I always have a feeling I should be doing something.  These feelings most liking have been instilled in me by my father who never seems to rest even on his "time off".  I sometimes wish that we had taken more family vacations growing up.   I worry that as I continue to pursue my goal of becoming veterinary practice owner, life will get busier and this principle of rest will fall fast to the bottom of the priority list of things to do. I will have to plan for rest or it will probably not happen.  Luckily I have a wife that will remind me to rest once in awhile.