“A rest is as good as a change.”

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”

Sayings like these represent the recap of some collective societal experience. Although there may only be a correlation, and not causation (between too much work and Jack’s dullness, for example) it is important to take time off.

If you do the same exercises each day, you will over-train and minimize your potential gains in fitness. Physically, we are constructed for fight or flight responses … so a fitness regime designed around stopping and starting, short bursts combined with endurance or cardiovascular training, is going to give you the best bang for your training efforts.

At work, break it up once in a while. Don’t forgo your vacation time. Engage purposefully in extracurricular activities that are not socially, physically, emotionally, or mentally damaging or destructive. Take a chance and enhance. Do not subjugate yourself in the pursuit of activities that are morally destructive, as doing so will tarnish your soul.

Have some fun outside your comfort zone. Make a fool of yourself and laugh heartily as often as you can. Remember, use laugh therapy for a quick pick-me up. “Ho,ho, ho! … Hee, hee, hee! … Ha, ha, ha…!” Laugh vigorously, loudly, and enthusiastically … out loud and in public!

That’s a mini break. Get a team break going, and challenge each other. What else is your tribe for? True warriors play games. True warriors engage in contests. True warriors know that they are alive and in contact with the spirit of the universe, as they challenge themselves and challenge each other. Don’t let another day go by with you or your team remaining unchallenged!

Throw down the gauntlet! You are warriors. Show me that you are not like Jack! With the heart of a child, the mind of a mage, and the soul of a warrior, you will realize that you really are one with the universe. So it is written.