In t-minus 53 hours and 22 minutes, my wife and I will load up the kids and start our drive to Destin, FL for a much-needed and anticipated family vacation. This year, my daughter will be almost two and my son is fast approaching five months. Needless to say, I am so excited about this vacation. I can’t wait to see the ocean and the sand through a two year-old’s perspective. I think it’s going to be a blast.
Because I own my own business, part of the challenge that I’ve faced for the past three-plus years is that it doesn’t matter when or where I go, I am always on call. This boundary has been almost impossible to set otherwise.
This year will be different.
Today, I committed to checking out of work responsibilities for the entire week. No phone calls and no checking or responding to email the whole week. I will turn off email on my phone, set an out-of-office responder and say goodbye, officially, at 5pm CST on Friday; buh-bye.
Why? Good question.
The number one thing that I’ve learned about living intentionally is to be fully present in every moment. If I’m going to have a chance of realizing the anticipation I already have, I have no choice but to say no to what’s normal. It is my hope that in doing so, that the time will be more restful, enriching and deeply satisfying. But as I dig deeper, this isn’t really about me; it’s about my family.
I hope that when we come home, we will have loads of memories, pictures and video of the little things that were capture and celebrated. From the sand castles we built, to the hours in the kiddie pool, to the sweet times we’ll have on the porch swing, these are the times that can be missed—quickly—if I’m not intentional and fully present.
So, let the games, movies, conversations, sleeping, dreaming, swimming, eating, shopping, exploring, laughing, loving, golfing, fishing, sleeping, sunsets, sunrises, beach time, sleeping, date nights….begin. I can’t wait!
When was the last time you unhooked and unplugged?
PS. Attention clients. I wouldn’t really ignore you, so I’ve set up an emergency email account that you can reach me anytime at—JUST KIDDING!
