Individuals in the US are renown for not taking vacations. Statistics, two years old, suggest that Italians take more than 3x the number of vacation days! The reaction of most Americans is to ridicule, but there is precedence to suggest that American’s, myself included, have it wrong! If the last three years are an indicator, I have taken less than 1/3 of the average American days! When I compare myself to the Italians, the numbers get crazy – 14 difference.
One of the residual effects of have a brain tumor is the realization that balance is one of the most important aspects of living. One may choose not to have balance. When that happens, the first person to lose is one’s self. Yet, even now I find myself resisting the invitation. Even with the examples of generations before me – my father taking a month off every summer in India following an example set earlier by my grandfather. Both modeled a pattern established long ago. Every generation takes a break once in awhile. Wisdom fathers, after a long trip, “settled down for a long, leisurely visit with the disciples.” (Acts 14.28)
You and I are invited to be initially lazy at times. Life reminds us that spending time with friends is important. Truth tells us that long, leisurely visits are an integral part of living. The opportunities are here, the question lies in our response.
I find myself on the verge of a new chapter in life. I can sense the invitation into a new way of living, but the urge to press on with traditional priorities is strong. A friend reminded me that we are not always control how we respond to the immediate. We can govern what we pay attention to. I find myself wanting to embrace compassion. The embrace is more than momentary. It transcends every part of my life, including how I treat myself.
Balance includes looking with compassion at one’s failures. It includes time to recover and refocus. It even includes long leisurely breaks – simply being in the presence of others.
