Vacationers in the neighboring town of Cassis, France
Today's Word: le congé
: leave, time off
: sabbatical, career break
Sound file: Click here to listen to the following sentence:
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
The other day, staring dreamily out of my bedroom window (instead of working on upcoming deadlines), I thought about the concept of un congé sabbatique….
Outside, I could see my chickens and all of the turtledoves that congregate around our poulailler. What a life they live! Their bare feet in the rich soil, they hunt for savory treats all day long. Une vie gourmande! When they tire of snacking, the hens settle down, tummies on the cool ground, where they begin their daily dirt bath. As rays of sunshine stream through the giant pin parasols above, the birds turn over on the ground until their entire feathered bodies are covered in dust.
Next comes a little aerobic activity as they flail their wings and hop around until all the poussière has flown off–along with any unwelcome hosts (puces). Finally, a little drink from the hanging reservoir and it's now time to bask in the sun, one's newly clean chest feathers puffed out for all the other birds to admire.
Admiration. Is this why I strive so hard? Are my own gleaming feathers disguised as polished prose? I can trace it back to school days. As a bad student, I nearly failed high school. But once I got into the university (under probation), and began striving for straight A's–those grades defined me, or at the very least improved my self-esteem. I strove and strove. and graduated with honors in French.
After moving to France and having children, I was floundering again…until I took up writing and set up stress-inducing deadlines (similar to those due dates in school!). Like those straight A's, the feedback I began to receive from readers fueled me and kept me going for longer than I might have – had I filed away my unpolished stories in a folder and shut the drawer.
Two decades after beginning this writing practice, I am thinking, once again, about a break–un congé…even une année sabbatique. Only, there never seems to be a convenient time to stop. (Coincidently, it felt the same way when I decided to quit drinking. There was never a convenient time to quit (suddenly we'd receive a dinner invitation–or there would be a milestone to celebrate–as the French do–with champagne!).
This all brings me to Chapter 5 of our memoir, a section of the story in which I am trying to write about what happened when I quit drinking in 2003: Incredibly enough, two years into my sobriety, my husband found a vineyard for sale. And that is when we went into the wine business….
Talk about an inconvenience. And yet, 5,971 days of sobriety later and–as the lyrics of Elton John–I'm still standing. Je suis toujours debout. (Propped up with the help of my trusty pen. Which is why a sabbatical from writing might not be such a good idea afterall 🙂
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Special thanks to those of you who are reading our chapter-by-chapter book-in-progress. We could not write this vineyard memoir without you. Knowing that you are counting on the next chapter update keeps us on our toes!! More about our vineyard memoir here.
FRENCH VOCABULARY
un congé sabbatique = time off, sabatical break
le poulailler = henhouse
le pin parasol = stone pine tree
une vie gourmande = the self-indulgent life
la poussière = dust
la puce = flea
je suis toujours debout = I'm still standing
Doves by the sea in La Ciotat… I love this image of freedom.
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Kristin
A sabbatical always sounds like a good idea.
Consider simply doing what works for you because…it works for you to do that. How much more reason do you need ?
Good luck.
Ray
A sabbatical in the academic world usually means taking a year to go somewhere else and do research. A change of place and a focus on one topic, that can energize and educate a person. Yet still draw a paycheck.
It is not a vacation in the sense of changing daily life by not working at all.
Yay! A new chapter! Kristi, your life seems to be moving in such lovely directions these days and we are all grateful you choose to share it with us. But … if a congé sabbatique is what calls to you … just do it! We’ll be waiting. 🙂
I think that everyone who works for him or herself feels this way. Even though it can bring flexibility, it also feels that you are never completely able to relax. Defining a set period where you do things differently, for instance with your blog and your writing, might nonetheless be rejuvenating and lead to unexpected and exciting outcomes.
I’m so happy I’ve found your site. It’s charmant. Just starting it. I looked up Lemeuil and the pronunciation and found your site on the Google page. “Lee-myrrh-yee” Really?
Bonjour, Kristin,
I live in a beautiful place, but I sometimes get ‘Peninsula Fever’ so I travel. At first I chose places with which I had some personal connection. Now I choose locations for quite a variety of reasons. I just returned from two weeks in Northern Spain and Portugal. It was wonderful. My 19 fellow travelers were kind people living interesting lives and we had many spiritual and cultural experiences in a range of beautiful natural environments. I have a friend who has walked the Camino 3 times, 3 different ways and admitted to getting chased by a cow on one of them! I suggest you drop the deadlines and take a travel break!
I would miss you terribly, Kristi; but, you have to do what is best for you. Does your body contract or expand when you ask yourself if you should take a sabbatical? Contract = no. Expand = yes. If you get the free feeling of your beautiful picture of the free flying birds when you think of taking a sabbatical = yes.
Maybe you simply have a need to release self-imposed deadlines and write when you feel called.💕
Sending you love!
Lorinda
My husband and I (Australians) are in the middle of a three month congé sabbatique en France. We’re in Provence at the moment, near Avignon, but haven’t met anyone yet who’s heard of the idea of such a long break from work. We highly recommend it!
Auguti, felicitations, good for you that there are so many other beautiful things in your life besides a glass of vino. And I know it must have been very difficult.
It always is.
Write, write and write again, and right, right, right your life daily, but a little vacation now and then really never hurt anyone….be kind to Kristen. A little rest always brings new material into a writer’s life.
We’d sure miss you…but you do what you need to do for your soul. Take care, Kristi.
Our dear Kristi,
Remember Eleanor Rooselvelt?”Every day is a gift–that’s why it is called the present”.
Wise woman,even though it’s easier said than done.(!)
In our own lives you give us inspiratin(and courage,as you have!) to pursue exactly that.
Please know we will always be waiting,and looking forward to,another wonderful post(and your gifted writing)whenever they come to us.
Arms around you in a huge hug!
Love
Natalia . xo
Sarah, what you write is true in the academic world, but I would suggest that the concept of a sabbatical goes right back to God’s command to the Israelites to leave the land untended in the 7th year, and rely on what grows without being worked:
“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter the land I am going to give you, the land itself must observe a sabbath to the LORD. For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops. But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the LORD. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards. Do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the grapes of your untended vines. The land is to have a year of rest. (Leviticus 25:2-5)
So being salaried whilst on sabbatical is very much a luxury!
Love this! Thanks, Ian.
Go on, Love: perhaps if your heart says so, DO take a break, be it ‘set’ in duration or free-wheeling till you feel like re-connecting, our Kristi! A good span of time simply to enjoy Being without programmed restraints works subtle wonders. We of your worldwide family will both gladly ‘release you’ and gladly await your decision to turn to us again with a refreshed smile and things to tell. Let yearning help to guide you … what a lovely moment ’tis to be open to choose change when it invites you to a new dance! We’re with you, either way.
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Kristi,
Having been a teacher for 33 years, the summer months were a time to rejuvenate. Maybe this is what you need every year. No deadlines, no pressure to produce, but time to relax and enjoy life.
Kathleen
I never had made the connection between sabbath and sabbatical. And speaking of “toujours debout”, I saw the Elton John movie Rocketman last week. His and your sobriety are admirable accomplishments. We would all miss you if you took a break from writing, but you should definitely do what is right for you….
I’ve been missing from the blog-reading and writing sphere for reasons I haven’t even pondered. Today, I looked in the blogger reading list and there you were: First. I will be tracking backward on your past few months, and same goes for Nina’s blog. I’ve made several false starts on my own. I hope this is a reawakening.
I’ll be in Ste Cécile at Beth’s in a couple of weeks, probably even with a visit to Rouge Bleu. I’ll be hobbling around. I had a knee replacement, then fell on it and split one of the incisions so recovery is repeating. The Provençal air should do me good. (I started to say sun, but I keep hearing reports of ample rain in France. Here in California, too.)
Dear, dear Kristi, As I face my 65th birthday this month (SCREAM!)I often think of taking a sabbatical….BUT…..Golly, what else would I do if I didn’t work? My father worked until he was 88…and it caused him no harm. I wish I knew the answers. Time was when I expected wisdom to come with age…not so! I wish you happy restfulness (but doubt that you will EVER stop writing)….MUCH LOVE, Eileen
Joanne,
I would love to travel and meet interesting people as you mentioned.
Working full time does not drive me as it used to, but the income is necessary even being a boomer!
Would LOVE to give my 2 weeks notice and see what happens next! Ah – but would have to sell the house, etc.!
Kristin – you love writing, but if something else calls your name, and you can handle it financially – do it!
Kristi, I think that sometimes, we all need to take a mini sabbatical, for a day or two, to create some space to evaluate our progress and explore new goals. I believe that this is what keeps us moving forward without the dreaded burnout. As I type this, I’m on the couch with a bad cold that has forced me to take a sabbatical from running my studio, and it feels as though I have failed in some sense. Then I remind myself that everything happens for a reason, and that self-care will always be No. 1. I know that it often feels as though we need to take a break right as we reach a challenging chapter, and I mean this both literally and figuratively. That’s when we need to discern whether to push forward or take a step back, but regardless of the choice, we can always go about it gently. I’m so excited about your memoir!
Whatever you decide to do, Kristi, know that you have made a huge difference in the lives of many. My students love your posts! Your positive but realistic approach to life is a welcome in a world of noise and negativity. Thank you.
Taking a sabbatical can be so refreshing for the soul. Sometimes we just have to do it for ourselves.
xoxo
I’ll always be here, waiting for you, whenever/whatever you do. Taking a break can be very refreshing and renewing AND, continuing what you love to do, what floats your internal boat is also so good. Try different paths and see what feels good, if for even a week or two, or a month or two, or whatever feels right. You’re in our hearts and minds! Much love! judi
Thank you, dear Judi. Your words, and the other lovely comments here above, are deeply touching and appreciated. I am so grateful for this community of readers and all the lovely individuals here. I cannot thank you enough!
Thank you for letting me know this, LeslieAnn. It means a lot to me! A warm bonjour to your students. I appreciate your sharing my website with them. It motivates me to continue these kinds of stories.
I think everyone is telling you to follow your heart! Freedom in the heart of God knows no odds. The birds are a good analogy. As I watch them sing at the top of a tree towering over my house or pecking at the ground, they are free to follow the natural flow. When you soar in the sky for awhile and periodically come back to us, we’ll be here to delight in your freedom. Alight when you want to, dear Divine Kristi!
Hi Kristi,
Love the photo of the doves by the sea! So beautiful!
I, too, yearn for a year of rest and renewal. As this is not yet possible, I create a day, and hopefully soon a week, for a mini-sabbatical. xoxo
Life goes by very quickly and sometimes we forget that and expect that it will continue on and on as it always has been. My darling husband died in December. We loved each other very very much. Now it’s time for me to live a completely new life. It’s scary and sad but it’s also an exciting adventure. I applaud you that you’re following what you heart tells you to do. With every change there’s an uncomfortable period but at least in my experience there’s always a reward . You don’t what it will be but bravo for you to jump out into the unknown. That’s really living life to the fullest. Come back when you’re ready…we’ll still be holding you in our hearts. Via con deos, Fondly Judi
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I have a special admiration for those in recovery and sobriety. Your difficult personal journey transformed you into a healthier Kristi and your commitment and work benefit not just your family but everyone, including your readers! I have been reading your blog, gosh, probably 6- 7 years, and I gleaned from the get-go a wisdom, frankness and “living in the now/one day at a time” sensibility from the start. You are a wise woman, and I trust whatever decision you make – sabbatical or not- will be the right one for you!
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Your writing always impresses me.