Saying Goodbye to Paradise

Paradise can be any "place or state of bliss, felicity, or delight" according to Merriam-Webster. This week my paradise came in the form of a real vacation which M-W describes as "a scheduled period during which activity is suspended" or "a period spent away from home or business in travel or recreation."

It has been years since I have truly had a vacation during which I had no work or responsibilities and making a deliberate effort to do so proved difficult but when accomplished... it was incredibly rewarding.

My friends and I spent our days reading, swimming, walking the beach and enjoying our surroundings. I don't think that we, as Americans maybe, or just as a people value time for rejuvenation enough. We all work so hard and push to complete to do lists and projects on our homes. We overbook our calendars to the point that we drive like maniacs and have cell phones attached to our ears all day long because we never have enough hours in the day. And I think the real reason we can't accomplish all that we need to or want to is that we are all running on empty. We don't take the time to refuel and refresh ourselves. We forget that sometimes our bodies, our minds and our lives require a period of rebuilding so that we can keep going. Taking the time to replenish our life reserves not only prevents us from burning out but it allow us to be the best people we can be. 

I cannot say it enough... You cannot give what you do not get. You cannot withdraw what you never deposit. You cannot drive a car without fueling up first. You cannot feed people without gathering food first. You cannot even use that iPhone without charging it up first.

Take a break! Charge up! And then get back at it.

Farewell paradise! I will see you soon.