Thoughts - Rejuvenation

We all do it - burn the candle at two ends, take on too much, burn ourselves out. We often forget to stop and recharge our batteries. Or we put it on a low priority. I know my husband and I keep saying, when we get our money straight, we will do this. Or when we have time we will do this. So, a couple of weeks ago, my husband became eligible for his paid vacation at work. I put my foot down. We were going camping. I needed to get away. I needed to recharge. We have gone camping once in six years. Our kids are growing up. Before you know it, they will be grown and gone. Then it will be almost impossible to do things together. Right now, my sons are still younger and at home, and my daughter and her husband live close. That won't last forever. If we wait for the right time, or the money, or "fill in the blank" it will never happen. So, that is that. We are going. End of story.

With the planning, the menu, the shopping, the packing, the figuring out what to do with dog and cat, and the million other things that go into a trip, it was a bit hectic. But, with help from my daughter, and others, we pulled together not only a camping trip - but a visit to the Virginia Renaissance Festival as well before heading home. Another thing we have been putting off. I'd like to say that the weekend was completely stress free - but this is me we are talking about, so - not completely. But, and this is the important thing, there were tons of laughs, tons of relaxing moments, tons of moments of silence to think, with all three of my kids, as well as my newest "son", and my husband together. Arguments ensued such as which works better to start a fire - tepee or box setup. Who would do the dishes. And which direction to take on the path. And there were Abbott and Costello moments where who was where and what are we doing. But those were fun too!

I also got to do the important things - spend time without worrying about what was going on in the real world. Spend time letting the rapids of the river flow over me and wash away the world weary stress. Listen to the sounds of our Mother Earth telling me that it will all be okay. Watching those I love share time together. Bond, heal, rejuvenate. There are tons of things we should do every day to help keep from burning out. Staying grounded and centered, letting go of stress. That kind of thing. But honestly, nothing replaces a get away into nature to remind us of the important things in life - we are one. So, when I came back to the crunch of reality, my first knee jerk reaction was - holy shit - I've got so much to do! I can't believe there is so much going on! But, the better response was to step back and stay grounded. To picture myself back in that river, as it flowed around me. To remember that all things are flowing, all things are changing. This too shall pass and things will get done. Me worrying and stressing about it is not going to change it, help it, or get it done. Instead, bending like the tree in the wind, holding firm with my roots, will help me to get through all the challenges and goals. I will still probably struggle with stressing things, in fact I know I will. But remembering times like the river will also remind me to bend, not break, with the flow of things.