A year ago, I talked about “what I would do if it were up to me.” I told you about a conversation with a friend about my 7×7 Bible reading enews. I wasn’t happy with the way I was doing it.

I said, “If it were up to me…” and then I started laughing. “If it were up to me, I would move more slowly, allowing for more reflection on individual teachings.”

I realized that it was up to me. And I realized that I wanted to slow down.

A year ago, I talked about the value of taking a time-out. I wrote,

In the case of sport, time-out is a positive act. In the case of parenting, time-out can have positive results, but at the moment it is a negative experience.

I’m telling you this because I had opportunity to explain it to a friend the other day. This person is pushing too hard, trapped by some illness, but driven by the fear that taking a “time-out” is something bad to do. it’s not. Calling a time-out can be part of the game. Taking time off to get well. Taking a break from travelling. Taking a sabbath once a week.

These aren’t punishment. And they aren’t quitting. No one accuses a coach who calls a strategic time-out “quitter.”

And no one will call you “quitter” either.

Go ahead. Call time-out.

I realized this week that I need to take my own advice. So I’m calling a time-out.  I’ll be taking the next month from regular postings at 300wordsaday.com.

Because Google Reader will be disappearing during that time, you may want to subscribe to the email version of this blog. That way you’ll know when I’m back.

And you can look in the Archive (in the right column).

Later, friends.