This is one of those posts where I’m lecturing myself. Maybe some of you will also benefit from listening to me fuss at myself.
There was a time when I took vacations. Real vacations. I would disconnect from my normal environment, relax, and get a totally fresh perspective.
I don’t do that anymore. Of all ridiculous things, I’m retired and don’t do that!
Oh, it’s not that I spend all of my waking hours being productive. Not by any stretch of the imagination. But, I always feel a “need” to be doing something. Maybe it’s the “restless soul syndrome.”
I guess what brought this to my mind is that Barack Obama is taking a week-long vacation, a week before the Democratic Convention, and I am thinking to myself: “that’s admirable.” He has worked very hard for over a year and a half, and has decided he needs to recharge his batteries. Good for him. To me, that makes a lot more sense than to keep on slogging away. Yet, over the past several years, I have become the kind who keeps on slogging away.
This has gotten me to think back on how much Covey talks about re-creation in his classic The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
So, if I disappear for a while, don’t worry about me. It just means that I finally talked some sense into myself.
I do have a book review I’m committed to do, so I’ll work on that when the book arrives. But, other than that, I am going to just do something different for a while. For example, I just got one of Buster B. Jones’ DVD’s and I am learning some new guitar licks from watching it. He’s the most incredible guitarist, and I love to watch him play.
Anyway, if you have been like me about not giving yourself some real re-creation time, this is as good a time as any to begin changing.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Bruce, Consider Barnes and Nobles! Cheap (unless you buy the books, which I have done in “less leaner times”), comfortable (their easy chairs are built for napping), and convenient (there's one close to the building and one on Barrett Parkway before I575 {they have fewer comfortable chairs}). But most important, when you're there, you can't be thinking about things you need to do - because you can't get up and do them! Grap a handful of books, preferably unrelated to anything you've been playing with and enjoy! I'll be in touch later - have a great week-end, I'm in the process of helping Little Bit move out : ) (Another chick flies from the nest!) Hal
Hey Bruce, speaking of working way too hard, my wife and I are here at the Rochester Methodist Hospital for my son's transplants and these doctors never seem to take a break. It appears they are on “go” 24/7 and I used to think I have it rough when I might have to put in some OT one night a week. While it has given me a new found appreciation for my work schedule, I do worry about them never unplugging from the machine. Makes me glad I never had any aspirations to be a doctor (or nurse).
@Hal, thanks Buddy. Glad the nest is shaping up for you!
@Steve, you sure bring up a good point about the hard work of doctors and nurses. I should do a “Good People” post about them (after vacation). My best wishes for your son’s transplants!