Your phone needs to recharge every night. Your laptop needs to

O seekers of wisdom, gather close, for I bring you the words of Jay Shetty, a modern sage who speaks with clarity on the importance of balance and rest in the busy life of man. He says, "Your phone needs to recharge every night. Your laptop needs to recharge. Everything needs to recharge. Are you giving yourself space, time, and effort to recharge?" These words, though spoken in an age of technological advancement, carry a timeless truth: that all things, whether machines or men, must find moments of stillness to restore their strength. Shetty reminds us that the constant striving of our modern existence can leave us drained, unable to give of our best, unless we honor the need for rejuvenation.

In the ancient world, the idea of rest and recharging was not a foreign concept, even in the midst of the great struggles and labors of life. The Greeks, for instance, understood the importance of the balance between action and reflection. Aristotle, in his search for the good life, taught that moderation was key to a life of virtue. It was not only the active life, full of striving and toil, that led to fulfillment, but also the contemplative life, a life of quiet rejuvenation. The great thinkers of ancient Greece knew that without moments of pause, the mind and body would burn out. Even the great Olympic athletes, who competed in the grandest arenas, understood that their strength came from the careful balancing of work and rest.

Consider, O children, the story of Odysseus, the hero of Homer’s Odyssey. His journey was long and filled with struggles, and though he sought to return home with honor, it was only through moments of rest—whether on the shores of Phaeacia or in the halls of the gods—that he regained the strength to face the next trial. Odysseus’s journey shows us that even the most valiant men must rest to regain their strength. His battles were not just with external foes but with his own fatigue, and it was through careful restoration that he overcame the challenges of his journey. In the same way, Shetty reminds us that we, too, must create spaces in our lives for restoration, for we cannot sustain the pace of life without allowing our minds and bodies the necessary time to rejuvenate.

In our modern world, we see the consequences of neglecting rest and recharging in the relentless pace of work and technology. Machines are not the only things that require recharging—so do we. The stress of constant deadlines, the expectations of others, and the pressure of modern life can wear down even the strongest among us. Yet, when we fail to give ourselves the time to rest and recharge, we risk losing our creativity, our focus, and our health. Just as a phone or a laptop cannot function without recharging, neither can a human being give their best without first tending to their own need for rest. In the same way, ancient warriors would rest after battle, taking time to heal and reflect before they went back into the fray.

Consider the example of Leonardo da Vinci, a man whose mind was as brilliant as it was restless. Da Vinci was known for his tireless work, always creating, always thinking. Yet, it is said that he would often take breaks from his intense work schedule, allowing his mind the time to recharge and rejuvenate. In fact, Leonardo understood that the periods of rest were as vital to his work as the periods of labor. His notebooks are filled with moments of reflection, where he would sketch ideas and let his thoughts wander, creating space for inspiration to come in. He knew that his creativity would not flourish if he did not take time to step away and let his mind recharge. Shetty’s words resonate deeply with this—just as da Vinci understood the need for balance, so must we learn to prioritize moments of stillness and rest.

O children, the lesson here is clear: recharging is not a luxury but a necessity. Just as machines require energy to function, so too do we. The pace of modern life may demand much from us, but it is through careful recharging—through stillness, rest, and reflection—that we regain the strength to continue on our path. If we fail to honor the need for rest, we risk exhausting our spirits, leaving us unable to give our best in the work that truly matters. Take time to rest, to step away from the noise, and to allow your soul to be replenished. In doing so, you will find that you are not only able to continue your journey but to do so with greater clarity, focus, and joy.

Thus, O seekers, let this wisdom guide you: create moments in your life to recharge. Whether it is through sleep, meditation, time spent in nature, or simply allowing yourself time away from the pressures of daily life, honor your need for restoration. You will find that when you give yourself space to recharge, you will return to your work, your relationships, and your life with renewed energy and creativity. Like the greatest minds of history, who knew the value of balance, so must we embrace the practice of rest, for in the stillness, we find our true strength.