I have spent my entire life learning about and learning how to better live the law of Sabbath Day Observance. The simple explanation is that God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh day. He told us that this was a pattern for us to follow: rest from our labors on the seventh day. This doesn’t mean do nothing, it is in fact a greater opportunity for us to focus on Him, on the covenants we have made with Him, and on His children who surround us.
What I have noticed is that this concept of resting from our labors — from our normal, everyday life — for one whole day has major blessings and benefits in every aspect of our lives.
Here are some resources that I mentioned in the episode:
This is a more detailed explanation of what the Sabbath Day means: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/learning-and-serving-in-the-church/sabbath-day-worship?lang=eng
This is the article on taking a break from work: https://www.verywellmind.com/when-and-how-to-take-a-mental-health-day-3144754#:~:text=While%20one%20day%20might%20not,fresh%2C%20less%2Dstressed%20perspective.
This is a longer article on the benefits of focusing outside yourself: https://www.discoursemagazine.com/p/outward-action-is-good-for-your-brain
This is a shorter and less technical article on focusing outward. Scroll until you see the green words that say: Focus Outward - https://leapforwardcoach.com/focus-outward/
A video I found about outward focus, this is the guy who is sharing things that he has discovered simply by trying them out and seeing that they work: https://youtu.be/0stgUby65Fw?si=jN7PVMP5RSHtI5wJ
Mosiah 2:16-17 - 16) …that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God. 17) I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/2?id=p16-p17&lang=eng#p16
Luke 10:25-37 - https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/10?id=p25-p37&lang=eng#p25
Luke 14:1-6 - 3)…Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? 5) And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day? https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/14?id=p1-p6&lang=eng#p1
Mark 2:27 - …The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/mark/2?id=p27&lang=eng#p27
This talk is all about the Sabbath and how it can be a delight for those who choose to observe it, I also quoted this talk near the end of the episode - The Sabbath is a Delight by President Russell M. Nelson https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2015/04/the-sabbath-is-a-delight?lang=eng
As a side note, I have also learned that the people who regulate how often flight attendants work have adopted this highly beneficial strategy of giving their workers a dedicated day off every six days (meaning that they have day seven off). They discovered it was better for the workers and for their business.
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