Time to Stop

How nice is it to take a break from our busy life, to stop and smell the roses, so to speak?
It seems to be a common theme these days that people are taking less time off and spending more time at work or working at home. I know of a number of friends who have accumulated large amounts of owed leave that they will never take, or will have to be forced to take under threat of losing the entitlement altogether. I even know of a few people who are proud to say that they have accumulated a hundred days of leave, but with no intention of taking it. WHY NOT?
We are entitled to, and receive paid leave from work, so that we can recharge our batteries, regain the love and friendship of our family members, and maybe do something else besides work. It's good for us and good our employers to take a a break. We are nicer people as a result, surely!
Last week I lost a few days to work but still got four stunning days at the coast with my wife and one of my boys, and some of his mates. Internet there is something of a novelty, as is broadband, so there was a blissful pause from the laptop and this blog. Did you notice the silence?
Implicit in our time at the beach is fish and chips, long walks, mountain biking, paddling the kayak, BBQs, open fires and red wine. In summer, add surfing. I think we achieved these objectives and a few more. The weather was quite fierce initially with a deep low pressure system off the coast firing in strong winds and swells from the Southern Ocean. This gradually eased to a wonderful clear and warm Sunday, our last at the cottage. The sunrises were superb too.
I have come away from the trip vowing to take more time off, to make a better connection with myself and my family, and to ENJOY! I hope you can too. It's worth much more than a hundred days of accrued leave. Yuck...
Have a GREAT day!
Lucky Phil