Any time I travel, I always find myself thinking about ways I can bring aspects of the new culture I've experienced back home with me. Coming back from Italy a few years ago, my partner and I found ourselves newly committing to morning walks and savoring our evening meals - rather than sitting in front of the TV or with our smartphones. A trip to Maine made us appreciate waking up early and watching the sunrise, and reminded us to notice the little things in nature.

I recently returned from an extended trip to China, Japan, and Vietnam, and there were so many aspects of each place that I loved - including amazing new foods and spiritual practices that I want to continue to make a part of my daily life. But the overall theme I've noticed when coming home after a special trip is, the desire to remember to savor every day, and not just wait for those vacation days. A message we often think to ourselves, but may not put into practice.

On my plane ride home from Asia, I found myself thinking about ways I could bring not only some of the cultural elements, but also the unusual luxury of a whole month of vacation, back with me. I decided I wanted to live every day like I was on vacation - and made a list of small ways to do it in case I got stuck. I try to do at least a few of these every day. Here are just a few things on my ever-growing list...

The "Treat Every Day Like Vacation" List:

• Spend more time outside. When possible, work from the back patio.
  
• Read fiction and non-fiction. Get lost in books. 
  
• Have a comforting cup of tea or coffee when desired. Be present.
  
• Write.
  
• Meditate. 
  
• Set an intention for the day. 
  
• Listen to classical and jazz music.
  
• Go for morning walks...mid-day walks...evening walks.

I love Brené Brown's Guideposts for Wholehearted Living. Each time I read through them, I find a new nugget of wisdom that speaks to me and helps me re-center on what's truly important in my life.

Here are some thoughts on Guidepost #7 as we go into the weekend...

Guidepost #7: Cultivating Play & Rest -
Letting Go of Exhaustion as a Status Symbol and Productivity as Self-Worth

How often do you ask a friend or colleague how they're doing, and in reply, hear, "Busy!"

How often do you find yourself giving that same response?

My partner sent this article to me a few weekends ago (a hint perhaps?) while I was getting geared up to jump into a really busy next few weeks. I love On Being with Krista Tippett so I enthusiastically put aside what I was working on to read it.

I want to share a quote with you that spoke to me:

"In many Muslim cultures, when you want to ask them how they’re doing, you ask: in Arabic, Kayf haal-ik? or, in Persian, Haal-e shomaa chetoreh? How is your haal?

What is this haal that you inquire about? It is the transient state of one’s heart. In reality, we ask, “How is your heart doing at this very moment, at this breath?” When I ask, “How are you?” that is really what I want to know."

I've tried to be more mindful of my own haal these last few weeks. It hasn't made my to-do list any shorter or my calendar any less full, but it has helped me be more aware of the impact that being busy has on me. I've thus also been more intentional about creating space (even where it seems there is none) to connect with the people I love, to be creative, and to play. It hasn't been easy to find the space, but it's been worth it. And, it is also guiding me to be increasingly intentional about how I'm committing my time in the future.

How is your haal? If "busy" is your automatic response, how can you create more space? And if you do, what will that give you? (more room for joy, love, play, laughter, connection, creativity...?) 


To learn more about walking the path of The Daring Way™ (a highly experiential methodology based on the research of Dr. Brenè Brown) with me, click here.