When it comes to hobbies, crossword puzzles have got to be my first choice. Even after a day filled with writing articles or editing the work of other writers, I head to my recliner chair, put up my feet and begin wrestling with words (or, more accurately with some of the more bizarre definitions attributed to those words). The one thing, however, that blunts my pleasure is dull pencils. I may be on top of the game but when a pencil is unsharpened it reduces my ability to read what I've written. Because the quality of the lead's imprint is muted and my age-related vision is less than perfect, I've had to go back over my work several times before determining whether the last entry was or was not correct.
Since launching my company in 2000 I've learned a lot of lessons: some of them I discerned quickly while it took near disasters before I caught on to some others. Like those faded crossword answers, I wasted far too much time and effort simply because my body was tired out and my creativity and enthusiasm suffered the results of that exhaustion.
Hubby and I have just returned from a week's visit with family, a long-overdue vacation that served as a time of total relaxation as well as a sharp reminder of the value of refreshing. In the few days since we've been back I've set about my work with new strength and excitement.
In life or in business, it's vital to keep sharp. Repeated use of our time and resources without taking time to renew body, mind and spirit, leaves us like a dull instrument.
"The steps [and stops] of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way." Psalm 37:23
Don't risk losing the most important things in life.
