Monday, July 2, 2007

Bliss - only in hindsight?


Here is a picture from my recent family vacation to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We spent about 11 days there at an all inclusive resort. Three pools, activities all day, shows at night, babysitting, all you can eat and drink. As I look at this picture, I imagine myself in heaven. Happy, calm, relaxed and with the people I love more than anything. Total bliss, at least in hindsight.

The truth is that it took several days to even relax. Worrying about sun exposure, saying "no" to the dozens of people wanting to sell you stuff on the beach, worrying about the kids and pool safety, etc. Then we started to relax and spent about 5 days exploring new areas and becoming more familiar with the existing ones we knew. After that, we started to get what I call that "Sad Sunday Feeling" when work is starting to cast it's shadow.

When I look back at this photo and think of our time, I wonder why I didn't realize bliss the entire time and if you need the perspective to experience bliss. It seems the goal is to learn to live in the moment more and to learn to sieze the beauty that is in front of all of us. At times it feels like I spend so much time planning my future, that I forget that the present is here and now, and more often than not, quite wonderful.

Maybe this picture will help me remember that.

1 comment:

NicciN said...

I so do the same thing. It takes me so long to unwind on vacation, and then I feel like I don't make the most of the time off that I do have. I think that is what I am scared about in terms of going back. I don't want to wind back up since I feel pretty unwound right now. I want to stay that way -- stay present in the middle of busyness of life. I find it takes trust and faith that no matter what happens I can handle it.

Oddly. this is the second time in a week that all-inclusive vacations in Puerto Vallarta came up. I guess that means that we should look into it in the future. It sounds fun.

I hope the picture reminds you to enjoy the present moment. I needed that reminder today. I was getting so worked up because it is my last week of maternity leave, but you reminded me that I don't have to let it stress me out. I want to enjoy the time that I have, and keep on enjoying my life when I go back.