There is a special feeling that washes over us as we prepare for vacation. Whether it be time off to stay home and tend to overdue projects or simply stowing away on a personal voyage, destination not required; or be it days spent by the sea, exploring another place. It doesn’t have to be a new place. It can be a favorite place that you return to whenever you can – a place that embraces you and promises to ease your mind, fill your heart, refresh your spirit and soothe your soul.
When we allow ourselves, there is a certain magic to be found in waking when our body chooses to without the disruption of an unwelcome, yet required, alarm clock. The cherished opportunity to laze in the morning, taking our time to do as we please without the rush, pressure, and endless replay of a day’s responsibilities on our minds. We can stretch, exhale, and move in peace – a subtle yet recognizable sense of calm and joy washing over us.
Too often we find ourselves rushing from one moment to the next, not allowing ourselves to enjoy an activity – even responsibilities and commitments – but rather stressing out and overthinking. It’s as if we feel lightening will strike if we actually breathe, relaxing our way through the thoughts we have and the actions we take. Some meditate or practice yoga to achieve this state of mind, and others work on it consistently through mindfulness and self-awareness. There is much joy to be found, even in the most mundane or exciting of times, when we slow down to speed up. You read that correctly – slow down to speed up.
What does that mean? It means turning the volume down in your mind. It means calming your body as you move. It means opening your eyes to see the beauty that surrounds you and practicing gratitude.
It’s the joy of anticipation.
Savor the moments leading up to vacation – then carry those with you through each and every day, even when it’s over. The world won’t end if we are unstressed, relaxed and imperfect. As a matter of fact, it moves along quite well without our making everything a priority and believing that we are the center of the universe.
Find the magic and take Zac Brown’s sage advice: “When you lose yourself, you find the key to paradise.”
