"Recovery Begins"

Dear Intern,

Hey, I just read your letter.  So you're feeling burnt out, yeah?  I'll tell you now, you're not alone feeling that way, and trust me, you are not a failure.  We all get burnt out at some point or other, and if anyone tells you they haven't, they're either lying to you or they're not fully immersing themselves in what they're doing.  Even Jesus, I think, got burnt out time to time.  Jesus of all people.

The best remedy for burn out is doing what you like.  Do you like movies?  Watch a movie or 2 when you get the chance.  Do you like to eat baked potatoes?  My god, go to Wendy's and get you a loaded baked potato.  They do it right.

I'm going to be straight with you, as things are starting to wrap up for my time this summer, I am feeling a bit burned myself.  I have had a terrible cold and asthma problems for the past 2-3 weeks, which has definitely prohibited me from doing my normal things.  For the most part I have tried to rest, do work from home (such as blogs and reading assignments), and occasionally light "office type work."  I've lost focus in a greater purpose of what it is I am doing, and I have felt continually inadequate to being an intern.

Every day is a new day, though, and new days mean a Genesis, a beginning, a time to start over and make things right.

Here are some ways I deal with burn out--

1.  Skating in the heat of the day scantily clad with a Gatorade at hand.  Sweating is good for the soul.
2.  Listening to my favorite music.
3.  Driving
4.  Talking to people who get it (like your supervisor!!!)
5.  Snuggling/playing with Lazarus (my missionary cat)
6.  Reading
7.  Hammock
8.  Playing an instrument, and losing myself in it
9.  Writing (usually songs, but letters and blogs are good too)
10.  Something I rarely do, but praying.

Like I said, find the things that you enjoy, and make sure you have time to do those things.  Remember that each day is a new day, and no matter what happens, there is always grace, and it is sufficient even unto you and me.  Grace can cover a multitude of transgressions and sins, no matter how small or great they are.  God will always love you, and even though I have no idea who you are (right now you are just a figment of my imagination), I love you too, and I always will.

Here is one of the songs I like to listen to when I'm having a particularly bad day;
"Recovery Begins" Fireflight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1FU_mWzpoM

You'll be ok.  And you are doing great things.  :)

My love,
LT