I was on vacation recently on one of those semi-tropical Caribbean isles. Just before I boarded the plane to come home, the TV in the airport had CNN on, with Pres. Obama making a statement about something or other, and I remember thinking to myself, "Obama...is he still President?" So much for the fleeting glory of politicians!
I quickly readjusted to reality, but that brief little thought reflects how completely disconnected I had been for one short week -- no cell phone (it wouldn't have worked if I'd turned it on), no PDA, no newspapers, no radio, no television, no snail mail or e-mail, and the only tweeting going on was that of the birds. I realized that this isolation was what made it such a totally relaxing week.
I'm retired now, so you may think, what's the big deal? First, even we retirees have obligations, duties, commitments, and distractions that are best left behind from time to time. More important is belatedly realizing the value of really "getting away," and regretting that you didn't do it sooner.
By coincidence, I read a novel (Natural Elements by Richard Mason) while on vacation in which a high-powered commodities trader nearly loses her firm several hundred million dollars because she is on vacation and not receiving the panic calls coming in on her cell phone. At the time, it seems like the end of the world, but in the end things turn out OK because her original judgment on the value of the investment was sound.
Well, that's the imaginary world. I am very aware that in this day and age, it's different when you're working. You feel that pressure to always be in touch; maybe your boss even insists that "if you must go," you have to be reachable; or you own your own business but there's that one big client that just might call and expect to find you. You tell yourself no one is indispensable for one little week, but you don't quite believe it. (Actually, it's true.)
Nevertheless, my advice, especially if you're still working, is: try to make the space to give complete isolation a try. If you look up "vacation," you'll see words like "respite" and "rest" in the definition but the root, of course, is the same as "vacate" or "vacuum." Empty that brain, clear out those cares and woes, and don't let them be thrust back upon you by some buzzing or beeping little electronic device. Sound tough? It is. But you may find it's truly beneficial.
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