As you’re reading this post, I’m most likely at this moment sitting on a dock with my feet in the water engaged in the beautiful scenery at my cottage in Muskoka.  I wrote this post before I went on holidays and of course set the timer for it to release today.  

I’m not in office, not connected; in fact I barely get a cell reception where I am.  I’m relaxed, rejuvenated and in harmony.   I’m not thinking of the emails that are most likely piling up, or the message light that is blinking constantly, I’m not even thinking of the projects that I’ll be faced with when I return. 

I’m taking a “whole self” vacation!    And for me, it’s the only type of vacation we should be taking.

I call it a whole self vacation because I’m not just relaxing my body, but my mind and spirit.  I’m taking a vacation from Michelle the VA, and simply getting back to Michelle the human being.  My thoughts are in the present, enjoying the time spent with my family, laughing, sharing…being connected to them instead of the World Wide Web.   

Taking a whole self vacation is about getting back to who you are. It’s a reminder of the simple pleasures in life and being totally free of the distractions that can sometimes get in the way of these moments.   It’s leaving all those “things” at home that rob us of those special moments. By “things” I’m not just referring to merely the physical items such as the laptop, PDA’s, cell phones, etc, but the non-physical items, those thoughts that have a habit of creeping in, – the “oh I should really be working on that” or “I really need to tackle that project when I get home”.

 With a whole self vacation, you are dropping those “things” off at the imaginary “work kennel” and picking them up only when the vacation is over.   Giving you the chance and much needed opportunity to re-acquaint yourself with the “you” who hasn’t been around much since the last whole self vacation!

So, if you’re planning on taking a vacation, make it a whole self vacation…trust me you’ll love every moment of it.  Like I am right now!

‘See’ you when I get back!