So my vacation could have gone one of two ways: I could have spent 3 weeks in Southern California with my family sans cellphone and with intermittent email access and hated it, or I could have done it and loved every minute of it. I chose the latter.
For years now, my motto has been “work hard, play harder.” I am the first to admit that I don’t do it enough, but the truth is that all of us need to. Whether it is practicing an instrument, getting up at 5 AM for an early-morning run, twirling your kids around the living room to lively music before dinner or sitting near a fountain at your favorite park or outdoor mall and tuning the world out for 15 minutes while you catch some Vitamin D, I am convinced that the world would be a much happier and more fulfilling and productive place if we all spent a little bit more time doing the little things we enjoy.
I admit to having been that boss (before I had kids) who didn’t understand people’s innate need to take a great family vacation at least once a year and disappear for a solid week or two. I would always take a day off here and there and that would be enough for me. This summer’s adventure was our first family vacation (where I didn’t really work) in 10 years! Nightly family dinners are great, but a family vacation can be your recharge station away from the crazy world around us.
I am not a phone maniac anyway and don’t ever plan to have “Blackberry thumb,” but the past 3 weeks gave me perspective, rejuvenated my work drive and renewed my resolve for the things I love to do and those that I don’t (but that I must do anyway).
