Every Day a Vacation

Well, we got back from vacation late Friday night. We had a great time--a good mix of relaxing and getting out and about. (For pictures and a description of some of the fun things we did, feel free to visit my family blog.)

While on vacation, I had a significant personal insight: I am my best self when I am on vacation.

In Beyond Freedom, there are two exercises where we write about our ideal: first, we write about our ideal day, and second, we write about our ideal self.

I have completed both of these exercises several times, and each time I write something very similar. I am not on vacation in these exercises, but, as I realized last week, my attitude, my feelings, and my behavior are the same as when I am on vacation.

At home, I am often tired and lazy--too much so to clean up after myself, so the house turns quickly into a disaster. It is a constant battle to keep things neat and maintain the clean, simple home that I say in my affirmations that I want.

Yet, on vacation, cleaning up is natural and effortless. You would think it would be the opposite--now is my chance to be lazy! But for some reason, that's not what happens.

On vacation, I allow myself plenty of time to relax and rejuvenate. I read books I have been wanting to read. I watch little if any TV. I spend little if any time on the internet. I spend a great deal of time appreciating my life and the world around me, soaking up the joyful, peaceful time I get to spend with my family, and avoiding people, things, and situations that would upset me.

Yes, I am my best self when I am on vacation.

So it occurred to me...

Why don't I make every day a vacation?

And that's exactly what I've decided to do. The rest of my life is just going to be a string of vacations. When I am home, I will look at it as temporary (and it really is, isn't it?)--the one vacation spot I return to over and over again because I love it so much.

I won't let in any experiences that I don't absolutely love--why would I want to squander my time or potentially ruin my vacation?

The next time you talk to me, be sure to ask how my vacation is going.

Oh, and one more thing: I have decided to stop doing my Tuesday night Beyond Freedom/Stress Relief calls--I'll be on vacation.