The Gift of Vacations
I got to travel to Minnesota for a long weekend last week. The trip was short, but so full of wonderful connection, it was a definite high point. I came home feeling reenergized. It’s prompting me to write to you about the gift of vacations—and to encourage you in that direction.
Vacations don’t have to be the classic week away somewhere to play.
with my dear friend Andrea at Orchestra Hall
Recently at Toastmasters I was given the TableTopics (impromptu speaking) prompt: “Tell us about your favorite vacation.” I came up with a blank and talked about something else entirely. Later I wondered why I disliked that question so much. I realized it was because my idea of a satisfying time away is quite different than what that word “vacation” brings to mind.
Lovely luncheon with folks who've been family to me.
My idea of satisfying time away is FULL of connection. Not shallow ones, but DEEP connections (built through deep conversations). In the case of my MN trip, the people I made a point to see have known me for a long time, and have each been special to me in their own particular way. It was easy to slide into meaningful connection even when the time was limited.
Element of personal growth, of reflection, and of insight in my time away/ vacations make for especially “tasty” times. The presence of deep, authentic emotion makes my day. I got a lot of that on my MN trip. The driving reason for the trip was the memorial service of my high school math teacher. The service was profound and deeply moving—leaving us all reflecting on the deep value we bring to each other’s lives.
Because I am in MN so infrequently, each time I saw someone, (especially when saying goodbye), I got a chance to deeply appreciate them—in the way I would want “last words” to be.
In the face of all that emotion:
While at my parents, we read a book aloud to each other (tune in to my book newsletter this week for more info). It was a great book for creating character voices—something like a Texas twang (?). We had a sweet time and all cried at the end. To top it off, I practiced my Toastmaster competition speech for them, and cried my way through it! (No worries—I got it all out of my system. I didn’t cry at the competition this week!) These are examples of good tears. This is the kind of authentic emotion that fills my heart and makes me feel time has been VERY well spent!
My papa has read aloud to me since I was small...
My mother taking her turn as narrator
In my parents' art-filled home
You see, my idea of vacations IS different than the norm!
Consequently, it’s more likely to look like attending a personal growth seminar or a memorial service, than a week at the beach. I care more about connection and deep authentic conversation (including emotion) than I do about activities or going places or seeing things. I love to travel, but the travel needs to contain connection and authentic expression of emotions in order to be a highlight. How about you?
Coach’s Challenge: Answer the question: “What is my idea of a great vacation?”
(Substitute the words “well-spent time away” if the vacation part sends you into a spin.) Once you’ve sketched in some parameters, see how you can do that for yourself in the simplest possible way. Do it and enjoy the benefits!
I’d love to hear: What makes vacations good for you? Leave me a comment!
