Before, During, and After Vacation

Dover Beach, Barbados

Those who know me well know that I love taking vacations!  I have a college friend who swears that I am always on vacation!  Truth be told I look forward to the day when I can work 6 months and be on vacation for 6 months :)  Vacations give me an opportunity to "renew" myself.  I take the opportunity to finish books I started months ago.  I eat healthier when I am on vacation - on purpose!  I am usually more active too - I seem to walk more, swim more, and play more.  I take the opportunity to get closer to God.  It is something about the ocean that brings me closer to God and I take the time to have some cleansing conversations with Him.  

This week I am in Barbados.  While sitting on the beach today I finished my book club book, "The Shack" and started a re-read, "In Search of the Proverbs 31 Man" by Michelle McKinney Hammond.  I began thinking about all the things I did (or didn't do) "before" vacation that I need to change, the things I can begin doing while I am here "during" vacation, and what my life "after" vacation will look like.  This is a part of the "renewing" process for me.  Documenting it here is cleansing because it will hold me accountable!  So here is what I came up with.

BEFORE VACATION

• I was slacking on exercising - down to less than 2 days in the past month (not good!)
• I was giving God the silent treatment because I felt He was punishing me by putting me in a situation that was familiar but not comfortable.
• My house was a HOT MESS and I hated going home to it!    
• My weight was spiraling out of control - even though I had been eating much better for a long time. 

DURING VACATION

• I began brisk walking each morning for 30 minutes.
• I apologized to God and started talking to and praising Him for all He has done for me.
• I took the opportunity to write out 5 goals, one of which includes getting my house back in order, and another is not being afraid to throw some things away that I have been holding on to.
• Along with the 5 goals I also started brainstorming about how to get rid of this excess weight once and for all!

AFTER VACATION

• I will continue walking 30 minutes each day (with the goal of getting to the point where I can run 30 minutes each day) and I will add swimming back into my routine.
• I will continue my conversations with God in the same way I talk to my best girlfriends - straight, no chaser - and I expect the same from Him.
• I will tackle my house, one room at a time and throw out (or sell) anything I haven't used in the past 2 months.  Books and Cooking Utensils included!
• I will recommit to losing 50 pounds! I have more than that to lose but I have to start someplace.  I will also post my "before" photo - as much as I hate to face the ugly reality.

Although I am far from being completely "renewed" on this vacation (its only day 3) I know that getting the rest I need is the beginning of my process.  My first day here I slept for 10 hours straight - clearly I need this renewal!

This Journey is All Mine!
Rhonda