Focus Friday: Let's Focus on Vacations

Have you ever felt too stressed to go on vacation?

That's how I felt a little over a week ago. We were frantically trying to cover our responsibilities while we would be gone, thinking about where we would go, and making plans for everything we would have waiting for us when we got back home. Plus we still had to pack!

"Maybe we should just stay home and do it some other time," I suggested to my hubby.

He reassured me that it would all work out fine and we continued packing and planning.

When we left on a Wednesday morning, we were a bit tense as we tried to get ahead of some bad weather (and went back home for something I forgot).

As each day passed, we felt more and more free. Putting miles between ourselves and our daily routines was good for us. 

We marveled at the beautiful fall colors along the way.

The foliage was beautiful throughout our trip!

We got out and explored new places.

We talked about things we didn't have time to discuss at home.

We laughed as a bald eagle came incredibly close to depositing the carcass of some dead animal on our windshield (it dropped in front of the car instead). 

I'm glad we didn't put this vacation off.

I could really feel a difference in how relaxed I was, so I've been pondering how to experience that even in the midst of my regular schedule back at home.

It takes effort, I think. 

If we're not careful, the cares and concerns of life can pile up in our hearts and minds, leaving us with way too much stress.

Making a conscious decision to let that worry and stress go can help us feel better even when we can't physically get away.

It's hard, especially for some of us that are prone to think too much and ruminate on negative things.

Maybe we need to take mini-vacations when the stress starts to get to us. 

Get out the photo albums (or go to your computer) and look through pictures of past vacations and relive some of those relaxing moments. 

Make a list of things you can do for 10 or 15 minutes that might bring you a little joy before you get back to your responsibilities (paint a picture, read, play an instrument, take a bath, call a friend). Post the list somewhere handy and go to it when life gets to be too much.

Sit in a comfortable place and talk to God for a few minutes when you feel lots of worry or stress. After you talk, take some time to listen. God may give you some ideas that will help you feel better.

And when you can, take an actual vacation. It's worth the stress of planning and packing when you get to your destination and feel the wonder and joy of new (or familiar) places.

I'll end with just a sampling of the places and things we've seen so far on this vacation: 

The path to Bar Island at low tide (Bar Harbor, Maine)

Later in the day...what path to Bar Island?

Hopewell Rocks, Bay of Fundy (New Brunswick, Canada)

 

Sunset at Peggy's Cove (Near Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada)

Moose along Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island (Nova Scotia, Canada)

Cavendish Cliffs on Prince Edward Island

 We're heading toward home tomorrow, but we still have a few more days to enjoy this vacation. I plan to make the most of it. Who knows what we'll see?

 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28 NIV)

Do you take time for vacations? How can focusing on God help you to let go of your worries and concerns, even when you can't actually get away?