The Power of Full Engagement

By Mary DeMuth










I'm reading an interesting book right now called The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz. In their work with top-notch athletes, they've discovered an important principle for all of us. We are at our optimal when we take short breaks, where we disengage from life for a moment before plunging further into work. Life is better managed, not in time increments, but by how we use or misuse our daily energy.

"The richest, happiest and most productive lives are characterized by the ability to fully engage in the challenge at hand, but also to disengage periodically and seek renewal," writes Loehr and Schwartz. "

Instead, many of us live our lives as if we are running in an endless marathon, pushing ourselves far beyond healthy levels of exertion" (p. 12).

I've often felt like I've lived life disengaged from that which is truly important. Perhaps that's why the title of this book intrigued me. I want to be able to slow down and enjoy the smile on my son's face when he creates a new Lego creation. I want to be able to set aside my set-in-stone agenda for the sake of what is truly important. I want to be fully engaged in worshipping Jesus.But to do that, I need to take breaks. I need to rest. To rejuvenate.

One interesting thing I read in the book was that when people who came up with innovations or new ideas were interviewed none of them said they came up with the idea during work.

Ideas and innovations came on a walk, doing dishes, in nature, sitting still. When I run in the mornings (something I've forsaken during the cold and flu season that's taken up firm residence in our villa), I become clear. I hear the voice of God. Writing ideas flow in. Insights about my life and my heart become focused.It's no wonder this book is impacting me. It's all about something God commanded--Sabbath.

I've found myself writing and writing and writing. Though penning words brings me profound joy, I've found that joy turning to obligation lately. So, now I'm praying for wisdom as to how to reorder my day, how to incorporate breaks into my life. With crazy-minded type-A's like myself, it is hard. But, the premise of the book is that we will actually have more output if we dare to take a breather on a consistent basis.

How about you? What do you do for rest? How have you ordered your writing day? What brings you respite? For me, it's nature and gardening and playing and reading. It's creating small pieces of art and giving them away. Sometimes it's cooking. Or talking on the phone with a dear friend. These breaks become like sunbeams bursting through the clouds of my ordinary days.

In rest, I remember how finite I am. In rest I reconnect with the Giver of Rest. With rest, I realize the universe runs without my help. With rest, I engage more fully in the moment. Ghandi said, "There is more to life than increasing its speed." How true.

What can you do today to slow the pace a bit?


Mary DeMuth began her writing career as a newsletter editor, then novelist, columnist and freelance writer. She lives in France with her husband and three children. She has several non-fiction books to her credit, including--Building the Christian Family You Never Had and Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God. Her novel, Watching the Tree Limbs is available here.