Qualities of Your Summer Vacation

(And the Book Proposal)

 

I’m still obsessing over the title.

I’m praying for a title.

I’m desperate for a title!

 

• Vacation at Home – Cultivating the Delight in the Everyday (I’m not feelin’ it)
• Vacation-Spirit – How To Be Happy Where You Live
• Vacation-Spirit – Having the Time of Your Life in Your Own City (thank you, Joan!)
• The Soul of Leisure
• The Spirit of Vacation
• Spirit’s Call to Freedom – Vacation 365 Days a Year
• Take Your Spirit on Vacation 365 Days a Year
• Less Stuff – More Joy – Delight in the Everyday (thank you, Rob!)
• Hidden Adventures – Right Under Your Nose (thank you, Charlie!)
• Urban Happiness
• Everyday Riches (thank you, Rob!)
• A Playful Spirit (thank you, Karen!)
• Designing a Life
• Designing a Happy Life
• Designing a Happy Life on Vacation

ARRGHHH!!! 

I’m going mad! I have to think about something else!  

So I decided to start a list on what is it exactly about a good vacation that makes us so happy? What is it about being away that gives us a new perspective? What is that magical shift when you come home, and everything is different - you’re different, (even if for a little while)? For those of us leaning toward the spiritual, how does vacation connect you with your Spirit? Where is God in your time off? 

Here are some of my ideas on these common threads of a good vacation:  

• Time, gloriously unhurried time. No errands, obligations. You look forward to the whole day. Everything you have to do today is fun. You have time to get ready, time to wander, time to explore, and time to eat, to really dine, and laugh and tell stories. 

• You are somewhere new. Your spirit is stimulated. You feel a sense of adventure. You are immersed in a different geography, a different culture. You are in a city you’ve always wanted to see. You explore. You don’t know anyone. Everything is new, fresh, undiscovered. There is exhilaration in that. You are lifted out of the sameness. 

• You feel lighthearted, playful, and spontaneous. Why not try it?!? You are open to new things. Your brain is deliciously empty. You are not planning the next obligation, or racing toward the next thing in your day. You are free, really free from the mental clutter. The day opens up before you in all its glory. 

 

• Maybe you accomplish a long-held goal; you climb a mountain, you run a marathon; you walk across the country, you do something you never thought you could do.

 

• You are surrounded by plushness and beauty. Your hotel room is luxurious. The view is stunning. The sheets are cool and the comforter is sumptuous. The food is delicious and healthy and perfectly seasoned. Best of all, it is made for you! All you have to do is walk downstairs.

• You rest! You take delicious naps in the afternoon. You make love. You have time to languor. You read. And you read. Then you read some more. You have a stack of books; novels, mysteries, spiritual, non-fiction, essays, biographies and your journal, all stacked by the bed (or the beach bag). 

• You shop! You have time to shop. You wander through shops that are new to you, fresh, undiscovered. You have time to try things on you don’t normally wear and really have fun with it. You try new stuff; leggings, lace camisoles, scarves and funky shoes. You are adventurous with your look. You try a new haircut. You get your nails done. You get a massage. You luxuriate in a spa afternoon. You read by the pool. 

• You connect with people. You feel closer with your partner. It’s so nice to both be in a good mood! You’re extra nice to one another. You laugh together. You eat together three times a day. You spend precious time together. You share the wonder. If you travel alone, you strike up conversations. You spontaneously meet people. You make new friends. You talk about interesting, stimulating things with complete strangers. You learn something that stays with you long after you return home. You are changed by it. 

• You let go of structure. The power of planning has set you free. Now is the time to spontaneously enjoy this new place, unfettered by the need to make decisions and choices. You follow your nose. You relax even when it doesn’t go your way, (especially when it doesn’t go your way!) You are out of your element and you know it. You practice patience. You release. You give up control. You let yourself be surprised. It feels delicious, delightful - sometimes these are the best parts of the whole vacation. You become aware there is something larger operating here, much larger than you. You connect with it. The power of it is exhilarating. 

• After a couple of days, (weeks?), you finally get relaxed enough to start feeling hopeful about your life back home. You think excitedly about the changes you’re going to make, you talk about your future at dinner, you make long range plans, you find your direction. Something shifts deep inside of you. Everything is different. You are different.  

Now I ask you: Why can’t we do all this at home? I bet a lot of you are just getting back from your summer vacation. I would love to hear your ideas about the qualities of vacation that make you happy. (And while you’re at it, please help me with the title, too.) 

Signing off,

Vacation Girl