So Long for Now

I've been on vacation this week, and I've decided to take the blog with me. 

I had to come back to work today, but the blog still isn't ready to return.  It will come back at some point, and it will be better than I left it.  In the meantime, I just need some time away to recharge my batteries, refresh my creative drive and train for a triathalon (I'll explain someday).

If you came here expecting something else, then I'm sorry, but you can pass the time in the interim by getting your own blog.  I promise to read it devotedly.  It's your turn to entertain me for awhile anyway.   

Truth is, due to a combination of life events and obligations, I've haven't been in a good place to write lately.  I'm just not happy with the quality of the stuff I've been writing here lately, and the statistics on the site reflect that opinion.  When I was too busy to attend a seminar on "Living a Balanced Life" last week, I knew I need to make some changes.  I need to take enough time away to clear out some clutter so that writing feels like a joy once again rather than an obligation. 

I've often complained in this space about how the loss of summer vacation is one of life's cruel tricks of adulthood.  It suddenly occurs to me that I'm part of the problem.  So I'm taking the summer off. 

After all, no one makes me write this thing.  I'm always telling you guys to relax and enjoy the pleasures of life.  It's time I took my own advice. 

I'm taking off the entire summer.  I'll be back the week after Labor Day. 

Until then, I leave you with the following advice: 

Relax, renew your spirit, and try to enjoy a little bit of your summer, even if you don't get a vacation.  Don't fill your schedule with things you don't want to do.

Hear the birds in the morning.  Remember that life is short.  Don't waste time arguing with loved ones about things that won't seem important years from now.  Don't get bogged down in every problematic detail life presents, because there is an endless supply of them.  Look for the good in the world, even when life doesn't seem good. Love your neighbor, even when she has a stagnant, unclean, above-ground pool filled with frogs.

Life is hard, so love even harder.

Remember that life's troubles are temporary and that things will often look better on the other side.  Don't worry about things you can't control.  Don't waste time and peace of mind arguing with people on facebook.  Think about what others see when they look at your life and let that vision inspire you to do just a little bit better. 

Turn off the tv.  Change your mind about something.  Don't stop growing. When you disagree with someone, try to think about how things look on the other side of the argument. Pray for someone you care about.

I'm going to try to take my own advice here, too. 

Maybe when we meet again, we'll all be in a better place.

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Good luck to all of you who are going through something difficult right now, and there are far too many in that number.  Here's sending some cyberspace love especially to S, who is courageously going through more than what seems fair.  Never back down.

I believe in you.