A day away, a world a part. Taking time to stop and explore, seek and find. It is so very easy to simply not “have time” for a day away with a child or time with a friend, but that way of thinking means that ultimately we don’t have time for ourselves, our needs, and our best life. There is a false story that says more work, harder work, longer work makes more productivity. My experience is that it takes more play, more time away, more reflection time to productively work smarter and shorter periods with outcomes. This last week my daughter and I met friends from another state at the Tennessee Aquarium. The week had been long, there was much that could have been done instead of traveling to play, but in taking a day away new energy was found, new perspectives reached.
When do you step away from work? Do you turn off your phone? Do you turn off email for the weekend? Too often today’s 24/7 availability means just that, that we are too available and not stepping away from work. This weekend I left my laptop intentionally in the garage in the trunk of my car. I wanted to spend the weekend reconnecting to my life outside work and electronics. The blessings of personal cell phones are many, but if not careful they become another task master, always available to keep the focus off who you are with in person.
There are exquisite parts of every.single.day. Do you have time to notice them? Do you take time to be a part of the world that is simply before you?
