July 5, 2006

Vacation

Vacation! Vacation! Vacation! This is the season.

Vacation means different things to different people. According to Webster it means, “a period of rest from work”. This can be a day adventure, a full fledge week on the beach, or an extensive organized trip.

A few weeks ago I returned from a vacation with my son and his family. It was a planned space in time for reading, napping, swimming and playing with the children — diametrically opposed from two busy jobs. Waking up leisurely, planning time at the beach, enjoying lunch, taking a nap and dressing to go out to dinner were the essence of our day. My grandson, always fascinated by the vacuum cleaner, asked to turn it on. My daughter in law responded, “On vacation, we don’t vacuum.” That says it all. There was great joy for me in this experience.

My family of origin usually added a few days to a destination when we traveled. My Dad loved his work (sound familiar?), and enjoyed staying busy; thus we didn’t plan “sit around and relax vacations”. For my children, summers were important times for their Dad to farm the land, so we spent weekends at our camp house. Regular summer family vacations are not part of my heritage. I have always admired my friend’s family who plan the same two weeks each summer for a beach vacation and family comes from all over the world to be there.

A change in routine and a step off the merry-go-round renew the spirit and unwind the mind and body. During periods of pain and suffering one is tense and weary and sad. To consciously refresh yourself outside in God’s world, bringing light and magnificence into your darkness, will rejuvenate your health and happiness. Explore something new; drive a different path, be curious and spontaneous. It is a mini-adventure and it is within your reach.

Vacate means, “to cease to occupy or hold; to give up”. If you are holding too tight to your pain, maybe involvement in something bigger than yourself will ease it. There are volunteer opportunities all over the world that welcome your vacation time. Search them out. Vacate your comfort zone. Focus on your self care and how you are feeling inside when you spend time giving to others. Interest your heart and your body will follow.

Coaching tips:

With warm regards,

Susan Sadler Hayman
International Life Transitions Coach
Call me at 662-238-7754
www.susanhayman.com

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