Courtesy of JewishSacredAging.com

We have turned another corner in our relentless pursuit of technology. In mid-May, the New York Times trumpeted the headline "Synthetic Bacterial Genome Takes Over a Cell.”

This was heralded as a "philosophical advance as much as a technical advance," and the article noted that the synthetic cell "raised new questions about the nature of life." OY! I am having enough trouble dealing with the old questions about the nature of life!

But, technology will be served (just ask the millions who lined up for an iPad), and, in truth, technology has given us more blessings than curses. Ask the many friends and family who are walking around with new hips, knees, hearts, kidneys, etc., and you get the message. No, technology marches on to create artificial life, while most of us just try to get through the day in "real" life. And even a casual glance at a news show or newspaper will tell you that this is getting harder.

I am convinced that one of the great challenges of life now is that of trying to take a "time out." The challenge of trying to step back from life and take a deep breath, to collect our thoughts and recharge an ever-depleted source of personal energy. It is tough.

I recently called a cruise line to speak about an upcoming reservation and noticed (while on hold) the brochure, which gleefully proclaimed that I could bring my laptop so I could be 100% connected with my world. WHY? Isn't the point of getting away to get away?!

Enough research now supports the fact that constant work and the associated stress is, on a very basic health level, not good. Every person and thing needs some rest. That is why mankind created the concept of a sabbath, and it is why religious traditions celebrate this concept as a way of sustaining oneself. Religions couch this in terms of one's relationship with the Sacred and the need to find spiritual refreshment and energy. They are right. Each of us needs to find a way to "escape," even if it is for a few hours. Those of you who are caregivers (or who have been) know how true this is. How many the times have I spoken to caregivers who see those few hours away on their own as a true sabbath of the soul!

The idea of taking that deep breath is really, I think, reflective of the beginnings of the Bible. Creation in Genesis begins with the ruach, or spirit, being manifest over the earth. Ruach can mean spirit as well as have the connotation of breath. Indeed, in some commentaries, it is God's breath of life that gives the spark of creation its initial charge.

We come to times in our lives when it is important to be able to recognize the need to step back and take that deep breath, a deep breath of life that will allow us to recharge our own souls, gain clarity of purpose, and focus on what may be next. It is not the creation of a new world that these relaxing breaths allow—it’s the re-creation of ourselves. That is real, not artificial. This is the life we live every day.

For many, June is a time that the rush of the "program" year begins to ebb. For many, we will try and take a few days here and there or, if possible, actually plan a vacation. For some, such luxury will not be possible. However, for everyone, there is the possibility, and in truth, the necessity, of needing some time for yourself. So, remember that idea of the sabbath, the time to step back, take that deep breath, and tune out. You owe it to yourself. And don't worry: I have it on good authority that those problems and issues that haunt us will still be there when you get back. So, take that breath and enjoy some real life!

Shalom.