Journal of Sacred Work

Caregivers have superpowers! Radical Loving Care illuminates the divine truth that caregiving is not just a job. It is Sacred Work.

About

Former President & CEO of multiple hospital systems and founding president & CEO of 20-hospital OhioHealth, best selling author, film artist, ordained minister, composer, published poet, syndicated T.V. host, trial attorney, federal prosecutor and Municipal Court Judge. Erie is internationally known as the founder of the Radical Loving Care(R)movement. He also heads Erie Chapman Foundation, Dane Dakota Productions, LLC, and Chapman Health International, Inc.

About

Hooky

October 21, 2007

I’m doing my best to play hooky. I watched the Red Sox win the American League pennant Sunday night instead of writing a post for you (and a sweet victory it was.) But hooky is always a hard thing to enjoy. The voice of guilt pops up in the middle of the hooky experience and throws cold water on the whole effort.
Or maybe it doesn’t. Experts at hooky can dodge school, work, or any other obligation with no fear or guilt.
Have you ever played hooky? Have you ever called in sick when you were feeling just fine just because you didn’t want to work on that day? How did you feel?…
Some people never play hooky. I feel as though there lives have been limited…

Hooky is a symbol of breaking the rules. Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer taught Americans about the art of dodging onerous responsibility. And they are two of the most delightful characters in American literature. They also signaled, by contrast, an American disease uncommon in Europe. Americans suffer from workaholism. Tell a prospective employer that your weakness is that you work too hard and you’ll probably be hired.
We don’t understand that overworking is actually a problem. We all need to know that as much as we love our jobs, we need to take the vacation days allotted to us. We need rest. Rest allows us to find balance. Otherwise, we’ll find ourselves dodging what we need to do, and then facing the dragon of guilt.
I know this dragon. He made me write to you when I’m supposed to be playing hooky. But what do you think?

-Erie Chapman

Posted in Meditations

6 responses to “Hooky”

Karen York

October 22, 2007

It has been a really really long time since I called in and really wasn’t sick. More difficult now is the urge to work on the weekends and days off – to stay in touch with voice mail, e-mail, and not really disengage. I work very hard at relaxing (ironic huh?) Presence to others requires presence to ourselves. In our harried lives, let’s not allow guilt to rule our day, and enjoy the pleasures of relaxation and baseball.

LikeLike

Reply
liz Wessel

October 22, 2007

Here, Here, Karen, well said!
I don’t recall playing hooky in a long time yet I think I often rebel in little ways. For example, before going to bed Friday night I reviewed my mental to do list and thought, tomorrow I’ll get an early start and get my chores done. Saturday morning I did rise early but found myself putzing around not tending to the “should do’s” but just relaxing a bit. My little rebellions…
Recently, I purchased tickets for a Bob Dylan concert; afterwards I realized the date conflicted with a church council meeting. I felt obligated to attend the meeting and thought about making up an excuse but I decided to fess up and tell my companions of my dilemma. I posed an option of changing the meeting date (which I thought was a bit selfish on my part since it would affect 10 other people and their schedules) but I made them a tempting offer. If others inconvenienced themselves I would bring dinner to the meeting. To my surprise my request was accommodated and we all enjoyed a special council meeting with a candle light dinner, music, and even Woody’s famous chocolate chip cookies!
Today is a very unsettling morning in S. CA. The winds have been blowing wildly for more than a day now fanning multiple fires with over 35,000 acres burned and no let up in sight. The air is so dry, dusty and smoky. I worry about all wildlife and the people whose homes are being affected.

LikeLike

Reply
Tom Knowles-Bagwell

October 22, 2007

I agree with you Erie, it was indeed a sweet victory! Actually, I’m also still enjoying another sweet victory over the weekend — Vanderbilt vs. S. Carolina!
Having moved into a solo practice recently, my greatest anxiety is that I won’t have enough work to do. I spend large blocks of time tending to the administrative requirements of my practice while praying for the phone to begin ringing off the hook! How do I play hooky when I’m my own boss? Everywhere I go I’m right there to keep tabs on myself! That old dragon of guilt is right there to greet me around every turn.
Hmmmm . . . Perhaps dark chocolate for the dragon and the World Series for me!

LikeLike

Reply
sullijo

October 22, 2007

Beginning in high school I (with my parents permission) allotted myself one “mental health day” each semester. These were days when I could wake up and decide that I simply had too much on my plate to bother with school that day, and stay home and do whatever I wanted for the day.
I took that attitude into college and beyond. Even today I don’t feel (much) guilt calling in for a “mental health day” if it is really needed. Our mental/psychological/spiritual health is just as important as our physical health, after all.

LikeLike

Reply
Diana Gallaher

October 22, 2007

Thanks for this reminder of balance – something that I was not able to honor this weekend. I paid for it, frankly, today at my work when I “hit the wall”.
On another note, I pray for the foks and wildlife in Souther California. love, Diana

LikeLike

Reply
Victoria

October 23, 2007

Boy, do I remember Hooky – couldn’t wait to get my fun day started. But I was younger and less focused.
Nowadays I wish I could still play Hooky – but I would call it a “Mental Health” day, wouldn’t you?

LikeLike

Reply