Advantages of a Staycation

As Jim and I approach the last two days of our almost week long staycation, we've found some advantages.  Instead of packing, we did a little spring cleaning a couple days before.  The house looks and feels more relaxing. 

There's no road lag from driving and no moving in and out of hotel rooms to get there.  Also, we're appreciating the money we saved.  

We're fortunate to live in a place with front facing windows that have a picturesque view, surrounded by a lot of green and some beautiful flowering plants.  The bees are having a field day with the rhododendrons.  

It's quiet, having turned off the various rings of on our cells phone. Cell phones aren't pinging all day long.  

For health reasons, while on vacation, we prepare most of our meals; cooking in our favorite kitchen is an added bonus. Though we did get one take out meal from a local restaurant.

Both of us got in some of our best exercise due to a friendly challenge, thanks to Virgin Pulse. We're both on teams of five. Jim is in second place on his team.  On my team there are two of us competing for second place.  It's been great to be able to complete 20,000 steps a day.  The challenge ends soon.

There's also been time to listen to the birds, take some photos and read, but most of all to rest our minds.  This being our second staycation, we've found that once the vacation is over, we can make a little vacation time during our work week by setting aside time to be together.  Time like Friday night movie nights and even impromptu going out to eat in where we set the dining room table a little fancier and have a special meal which may include something like scallops.

Though we've enjoyed our time at home, we're still looking forward to fitting in our typical two week vacation, traveling to Myrle Beach, SC next year.

Finding Serenity

Stump Pass - Cal Shook

Have you hit that point where you feel like you are working as hard as you can to get things done, but are getting nowhere?

Maybe finding serenity will help.

What is serenity? It’s a feeling of calm and tranquility.

When I think of a state of tranquility, I think of how it feels to have an infant’s limp sleeping body cradled in my arms.

How do we find serenity?

My husband Jim’s and my search for serenity and renewal came this past month. An opportunity to head for warmer climate presented itself and we made the decision to leave our busy schedules and go for it. We're glad we did.

Home and feeling renewed, the following thoughts about the experience have reminded me of ways I can continually find and keep serenity and hopefully encourage you to do the same.

Get Away

It’s twenty degrees as we load up the car with our carry on luggage .  Twenty minutes later we're heading into the terminal at Pease Airport and through security.

After three hours in the air we touch down in Englewood, Florida.  As we exit the plane and head down the stairs, the sun hits my face and warmth floods my soul. It''s sixty degrees but it feels much warmer.
With a rented car and a short drive we reach our vacation destination.

Step Out of the Ordinary  

Our vacation accommodation is half of a one story duplex that has the look and feel of a welcoming cottage with light colored walls and a wrap around screened in porch. As we open up the doors and windows, it feels light and airy.

Other than what we’ve brought, everything is new to us:  from what we cook with to what we sleep on. Though this feels a little disorienting at first, it turns into an adventure as we discover what's been left for us to use.

Lemon Bay - Cal Shook

Find Sanctuary

A short walk from where we are staying is a wildlife refuge - Stump Pass Beach State Park. We check it out.  Its soft sandy paths run along Lemon Bay and wind around to the Gulf Coast.  Bark-less light colored hard woods reach toward the sky in reverent fashion.  Archways that provide shade beckon us to pass through to see what’s new on the other side. Wildlife come and go, continually changing the landscape.

The finale of the day, a picturesque sunset.

Many more memories would be made along these paths throughout our time on Manasota Key as well as other scenic walks in the area.

Keep it With You

Gulf Coast Sunset - Cal Shook

We felt rested and revived. When it came time to leave, packing up our belongings was hard.  I decided that I'd pack up the memories and keep them with me - to use as needed.

Getting away separated us from the business of everyday life; giving us an chance to gain new perspective.

Stepping Out of the Ordinary and doing something different provided an escape from the monotony our daily routine and freed us up to savor something new.

Finding Sanctuary in a wildlife refuge and other walks along the ocean and ponds brought us peace and relaxation.

By the end of the trip my restfulness and ability to sleep matched that of a sleeping infant.

In small ways, I can do one or all three of the above to foster serenity.

How about you?  What helps you during times of stress?

Find Rest, Peace, and Creativity this Election Season.

Are you feeling a bit fearful and angry this election season?

I sure am.

Not only am I fearful of “all” the political rhetoric, I’m concerned about the resulting anger it’s evoking within me.

Breathe

To calm my fears and relax I used the following words in a similar fashion to a "breath prayer" by taking a breath with each verse I read. 

Rest leads to Peace.

Peace leads to Clarity.

Clarity leads to Creativity. – Kirk Byron Jones, “Calling Forth New Life”

Discover

Mount Agamenticus - Cal Shook

With a more relaxed spirit, the following thoughts surfaced.

What images am I creating this election season?  What Images would I like to create?

With the answers came the insight that my rhetoric needs to be overhauled.

People that disagree with me are not stupid: they have the same fears for the future I have. 

There’s a creative spirit in everyone.

Each of us has the ability to create a variety of images.  From images that warm the soul to those that deaden the spirit.

In a world in turmoil what expressions of creativity are available? 

Am I opening the door or closing it to solutions that are not like mine.

What images are being portrayed this election season?

Are they?

Love or Hate

Peace or Fear

Forgiveness or Revenge

Joy or Misery

Compassion or Cruelty

Empathy or Disdain

York Harbor Daisies - Cal Shook

To truly love self and others requires finding inner peace.  Forgiveness allowed Jesus to say to those torturing him on the cross, “Father, forgive them...” Forgiveness of self and others brings inner joy, which reflects outwardly to others. 

Choose

The choice is each of ours – what type of images do we want to convey?

Images of:

Love, Peace and forgiveness which foster Joy, Compassion, and Empathy
Or
Images of:

Hate, Fear, and Revenge which promote Misery, Cruelty, and Disdain.

Pray

Ask God for help using a prayer like the following reflection prayer.

God please open our minds and hearts to seek out your will and guidance in our creative expression. 

Where there is hatred may we foster love?  May we take time to approach this election season with a more relaxed spirit.  May we open the door to the solutions offered by others not like ourselves, because we’re all here for a purpose.  We all have something to bring to the table.  Together we can create a world of peace and love.