Getting Some Rest

I started in radio in 1977. Of all places it was at CHUM with an internship at CHUM-FM, who were far down the ratings in the 70's. When my month long placement was done, I volunteered to help in the CHUM-AM library. I didn't tell them my internship was up - I just kept going in every Wednesday, even after school was out for summer. Finally, I left for a summer job in Peterborough and shortly after I got on the air in Kingston in 1978 and have been on the air every weekday, at almost every station since then, and if I was not on every day, I did shifts here and there to keep the vibe alive.

I have always been on the air for one reason - to entertain myself. I didn't become a radio personality to please my boss, or the owner of the company. I didn't do it to bless the Lord, although I hope I did. And, I didn't do it to entertain the listeners. I have always been on the air with the purpose of entertaining myself. I figured if my show challenged me, and the bits were relevant or the phone call was funny and the whole thing made me smile, then maybe the boss, the company and the listeners would like it too.

After 33 years, I feel like I've run out of things to say. So on February 25, I stopped. Today, I decided it was time to get away from radio for a while and thankfully our Board of Directors is giving me a 13 week sabbatical.

It's quite common for pastors and company leaders to go on sabbatical. Some go back to school to get their masters of something. Some do home renovations, some write books, some change careers and manage upcoming rock stars. (hint hint)

A friend of mine who just came off a sabbatical, explained to me that everyone has an amount of energy to help them function. The energy gets drained by work, or worries and just regular energy, and we're left with the reserve tank. He said to me, "your reserve tank is empty". His advice was the best advice I'd heard from those I had asked. He said "Scott, you need time to do nothing. Just rest your body and get some sleep. Slow down your mind, refresh your spirit with God and visit your son. Rediscover laughter and beauty. And visit other radio stations coz that's what you like to do".

I don't know how many of those things I mentioned will happen but if God is going to give me new vision, then I need to make time.

My return date to LIFE in the office is August 4. Whether I go back on the air is another thought. But til then, the blogging continues.