Rest Is NOT A Dirty Word!!!

I am not completely happy with my title--but I’m not sure what else to call this!

Tonight I went to hubby’s GED class.  (it’s a family deal)  They talked to us about job skills.  And it was pretty interesting. 

But what gets me is close to the end--one of the leaders gives what I’m sure that he believes is a pep talk.  There was this 26 year old girl that came to talk to us a good couple of months ago.  Now--please understand that I liked her--I liked her story--I found it inspiring.  (she was emancipated from her parents at 16--married at 17--and was on the street with her baby at 18 or 19.  But turned her life around)  He gave an update on her.  She has graduated with not one but two degrees.  A 4.0 grade point average.  I’m sorry--I forget where she works--but I believe that she also has an important job.  And let’s not forget she’s raising her son!!!  But his point kind of was--if she can do it--we can do it too. 

And I just don’t think that that is the right message to send!!!!!  She obviously has tons of energy.  And I’m not sure when she sleeps!

In our society--we hold up people like this as shining examples.  All I can think of is how many people get things like Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia--in part because they are Type A personalities who never take a break!!! 

Things like rest, sleep and taking care of yourself are important and smart--NOT selfish and lazy!!!!! 

What happens when you burn yourself out?  (I’ve managed to do that 3 times!)   What happens when you fall asleep at the wheel?  What happens when you’re too sick to work? 

Please tell me--what do you do then? 

I belong to two online groups of people who are chronically ill.  I’ve been chronically ill since the end of 1993.  Encouraging this workaholic behavior just doesn’t seem like a good idea to me!!!