Do you remember those middle school essays: “What I Did on My Vacation” ?
Back then, I proudly wrote: “I read, I swam, I sunbathed by the pool, I caught fireflies.”
Back then, we didn’t have computers and cell phones, I-Pads and I-Pods, Twitter and Facebook.
Back then, we didn’t have a hundred choices of things to DO, like skydive or zipline, paraglide or climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, river raft or whale watch.
Back then, vacation was a time to just BE.
Now, most of us are always doing, especially on vacation.
So I’m kind of embarrassed to answer the question about what I did on my vacation this month:
(1) I read six books: The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian, Me Before You by Jojo Moyes, Time and Again by Jack Finny, Through the Evil Days by Julia Spencer-Fleming, Marry Me, by Kristin Walker, The Magician’s Assistant by Ann Patchett.
(2) I walked hand and hand with my man, with no destination in mind.
(3) I watched giant turtles teach me the power of floating to wherever I am taken.
(4) I shopped at the U.S.’s western-most bookstore in the little town of Hanapepe, Kauai.
(5) I dozed in the sun after an hour of a yoga tai chi class along the ocean.
(6) I admired the sunrise…and the sunset.
(7) I caught waves of memories, splashes of insight, whispered tradewind words of wisdom, sand drifts of dreams, and a beach load of joy.
Many say I didn’t DO anything…
I say I explored the world of BE.
Oh to be in Kauai…. I feel the gentle breeze and salty air in your words! In order to @become you have to first BE 🙂
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I thought of you while I wrote this – since you help others learn about the importance of how to BE, to then Become whatever their dreams are.
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It’s only as we get (ahem) older that we get comfortable with not ‘doing’. If you have the luxury of time then there’s nothing more reinvigorating than a period of drifting, physically and mentally.
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Well, now that you put it that way, I guess you’re right. When we’re younger, we strive to throw everything in our basket; it’s not until we’e a bit more ‘mature’ that we realize, sometimes, an empty basket is the point. Always love your comments – thank you~
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I am so glad this is the kind of holiday you are having! You deserve every last minute of just being ❤
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I’m hoping to hear that you had the same experience on your recent vacay (excluding the crazy chaotic wonderful time with your visitors!). xo
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Way to be, Pamela!
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Hey, that’s a neat pun! Now I’m singing the tune of “Let It Be” to the words, “Way to be, way to BE!”
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Now that was the perfect vacation! So glad you had the time to just “Be.” Loved the pics, too.
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And in a month, we’ll be ‘being’ and ‘writing’ together to the sounds of the fog horns! Can’t wait!
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Good for you! How awesome……of course as soon as I saw your post name I thought of the song “Let it Be” so now…..I gots Paul McCartney floatin’ ’round in my head! ha ha ha! Thanks Pam! 🙂
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I know, as soon as I decided on the title of this post (originally it was “A Vacation of Being” but I wanted something catchier) I’ve been singing the tune non-stop. But it’s almost like a sweet mantra, isn’t it?
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Yes it is!! A very good mantra…..mine is: To Be Authentic and Stand my sacred ground, even when it’s hard! 🙂
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I nominated you for a Sunshine Blogger Award :-*
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Thank you, thank you. Now if I can only remember how to put this on my side column, I’ll get the Sunshine in there. I’ve commented on your wonderful blog and hope my readers stop by and see you at http://blogmethisblog.wordpress.com/. I always enjoy visiting you and reading your posts!
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Thanks Pam! Your the bestest!! 🙂
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Oh my gosh, this sounds like the perfect vacation! I live in NJ and we have been bombarded with snow storm after snow storm this winter. My husband and I have been to gorgeous Kauai a few years ago and you have me yearning for warm days hanging out and reading on the beach. Letting it “be” is definitely something I long for right now. Beautiful images.
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I grew up in NJ and return every summer. It’s a much maligned state, yet has much to offer. But NOT this winter. I sympathize with you. We can still get our sense of “BEing” in the snow and cold, it just takes a greater imagination. :-0
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Sounds like you had a GREAT vacation!!!
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It’s hard to let go of BE and return to the land of DO, that’s for sure.
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Best vacation ever 🙂
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And back to work on Monday! I promise!! xo
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You found Nirvana, Heaven, Paradise!
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I think you’re right!
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I loved reading this today. When the electricity went out, I thought of you. You helped convince me it’s time for a break.
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Oh Kathy, believe me, I thought of you when I wrote about my get away. I don’t want my readers to get annoyed with me (I mean, going from relatively warm weather to this location, while many of my friends and followers are suffering through an insufferable winter). I hope my words warmed you in some way, and I hope you DO get a break! xo
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How awesome that you could get away and just “be” in Hawaii….so cool! I enjoyed reading about what you did do on your awesome vacation….it made me think of how wonderful it had to be for you in such an exotic location while I am here in New Jersey looking at all our cold snow! Glad you had such a great time my friend!!! I always enjoy reading whatever you have to say Pammy!!!
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Well, you and I both know that NJ can be exotic, in its own way. Right? However, I always found NJ more exotic in the sunny summer, NOT the chilly icy winter. Stay warm – and thank you for the wonderful FB review of The Right Wrong Man!
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I do not like vacations where you are rushing rushing rushing from place to place. I just like “to be” too. Yours sounds awesome.
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I knew there was a reason you and I ‘clicked’ so quickly – we are BEF’s – BE(ers) – forever! 🙂
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Sounds like the perfect vacation to me! You read some great books.
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Rather eclectic novels, aren’t they? For the plane ride home, fun easy read by Kristen Hannah, Home Again. I can tell you’re a genre-bending reader too.
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What a fabulous sounding vacation!! Vacations should be about days like you describe – rest, recharge. Nothing wrong with active vacations either. Hawaii is on my bucket list for sure! 🙂
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Probably a bit of both – rest and activity – is the best of both worlds. Count on me to give you some ideas/suggestions when you’re ready to fill that bucket with a trip to Hawaii!!
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Awesome!
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Now that is my kind of vacation!
That is why I love the Lancaster area of Pennsylvania. Sure, there are things to see and do, but there are many, many more place to just BE! And that’s where you can find me.
You’re an inspiration to overscheduled, plugged-in, exhausted vacationers everywhere. Well done, my friend.
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Pennsylvania is the land of mountains and valleys, beauty and serenity (once you get past the cities). Did you know that I went to college in gorgeous upper PA? That’s where I first discovered how to BE, watching the stars while high (no, not that kind of high) up on a mountain. Thanks for the memories.
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Sounds perfect to me. I have many happy memories of Kauai. The loveliest place I remember.
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Besides being naturally beautiful and exotic, the people who live there are extremely happy and friendly and beautiful. I embrace their love of life.
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Oh, me, too. I would be delighted if I could live there and support myself. I put a story about Pele in my novel, I remember Kauai with such longing.
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Sounds perfect to me!
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
THIS WOULD GIVE MY CHALKBOARD HAND CRAMPS!!!! 🙂
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