In taking pause, we are able to continue better.
I completely underestimated the power of vacation.
The past six years since my last getaway have been action packed: divorce, relocation, development of a new career, business openings, and the ongoing work of relationship. Every time that I thought of taking a break, I felt like I couldn’t, whether it was financial consideration or otherwise, it didn’t feel like the right thing to do.
Then, two dear clients, Nancy and Gigi, insisted that I had to take a vacation and, in their wisdom, plainly set forth the reasons why I could delay no longer. Life happens, regardless of whether we take a break or not. Though we have this belief that we have the ability to plan our future and determine a “better” time for things to happen, it is a belief based upon folly. Nothing is a given and the best laid plans, like eggs, are fragile and easily broken. So, I took that vacation and am so happy that I did.
You know that you need a vacation when you have a hard time packing. In my case, I accomplished this seemingly daunting task by throwing pants, shorts, tops, pajamas and underwear in like colors together. In the past, when vacationing was more a sport and less of a necessity, I’d prepare outfits with matching accessories. This time, just packing was chore enough. Instead of shoes for each ensemble, again, I grabbed one brown, one black, one pair flip-flops and one pair of sneakers. Apparently, I was greatly in need.
Now, I am greatly refreshed. I didn’t fret about my business, I didn’t think about ad campaigns or new product lines. I thought about what I wanted for dinner, or what bird or animal’s call I was hearing. I lost track of the days. I remembered the sound of water lapping at rocks. I forgot about my cell phones, which is funny because as anyone who knows me will attest, I am rarely without them. In fact, originally, when I learned that the cottage did not have cell or internet service, I was greatly perturbed. Now, I’m grateful for that, and for those two lovely ladies whose sage advice I heeded. Thanks Gigi. Thanks Nancy! By allowing myself to stop, I allowed myself a new start.