vacations

as i return from a 10 day excursion around new england, i feel refreshed and eager to reinvigorate my daily life. i am amazed by how time away in a physically humbling, awe-inspiring environment can awaken your spirit and realign your perspective.

i think i often underestimate the importance of vacations. short trips feel like a hassle with heavy medical equipment and the mentally tiring task of packing medications and treatments, making sure not to miss anything. i return feeling more exhausted than when i left. and long trips have been out of question post college since my "off days" are limited and i try to save them for worst case sick scenarios. i don't want to waste time off on a vacation when i could at any point have to be out of the office for 3-4 weeks for a hospital stay and course of iv antibiotics. vacations feel superfluous. this mentality has resulted in many years devoid of a vacation lasting more than a long weekend sprinkled in here and there.

so, today i return with a renewed belief in the power of a vacation. a long vacation. far away. to clear my mind and remind me of who i am and what i love when i am not bogged down with the mindless routine of everyday life.

i strive to take from this the importance of not diminishing myself to a diseased body that merely deserves a reserve of sick time. i don't want to live for worst case scenarios. this vacation has reminded me that spirits need nourishment and inspiration from time to time and I owe my spirit its well-deserved replenishment far more often than i have been providing it.

from this point forward, i pledge to make good, active use of my vacation time, invest in my whole mind and body's wellbeing and worry about worst case scenarios, well, if they do arise. but, now, to planning my next exhilarating trip...hopefully, this time, to paris!