CABO WABO
And, on the forty-first week, she rests. But, on the forty-second week of our Divine By Design Blog, she (as in “me”) is back up and poppin’ for our forty-first post. This would be the most appropriate space to add that funny little George W meme that circulated after President Obama took office that says, “Miss me, yet!” We’d just need to insert my face for George’s. Oh, Alan Eskew, my beloved friend and photoshopping guru, where are you when I need you? And, by the way, that was no slight against either President. I voted for them both. Don’t shoot me! LOL!
This last week, my husband and I traveled to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. As you may know, it’s located on the Baja Peninsula, where the Sea or Cortez and the Pacific Ocean meet. The water is a deep turquoise until it crashes into the giant rocks, then becomes a magnificent sea foam green. The air is filled with the salt from the sea, and, every single time it whisks under your nose and onto your skin, you’re reminded of it’s splendor. And, then, of course, there are the bright yellow birds that sing because they have a song and iguanas that strut around with such machismo. I mean, what can I say, it was the perfect time and place to be on summer vacation.
In the last year and a half, I’ve really been strict about having my nose to the grindstone and as little distraction as possible. Like never before, I’ve been in serious work mode. I’ve missed out on some really fun lunches with friends and weekend trips with my husband all in the name of staying focused in effort to create a viable business. I’ve see so many people pour their hearts and souls into making their dream a reality, and, sometimes, it doesn’t pan out. The possibility of that really resonates with me, so I pray and work like crazy. It’s not just that I want to succeed, although that is a part of it. I think, most of all, I want to be able to do good. And, thus far, we’ve been able to do that (by the grace of God, as always).
But, all work and no play is really not good for a person. In order to be our best selves, we really need to retreat. Wherever that may be- a long, hot bath, a quick jog, nestled into a good chair with an even better book or somewhere away from home. We all, yes, every single one of us needs to step back, relax and breathe. Although, I can intellectualize what I just shared with you, I can’t say that I really got it until I was in Cabo.
Farm to table breakfast is served fresh daily, pina coladas are delivered poolside, beds are turned down and, at every corner, someone is smiling and saying “Buenos Dias.” If you took all those things away and kept the cheery dispositions, smiling faces and the beautiful people of Mexico saying, “Buenos Dias,” it really would be more than enough. That time was so precious. And, while I was so present there, I knew that my soul was being renewed for when I would return home. I mean, friends, I got home and loved on my animals and precious in-laws and I washed clothes and reorganized things like it was my favorite past time. I kind of cracked myself up.
My normal, mundane routines are my safe place. And, being away from them and being pampered as if I were the British Prime Minister, really reenergized me and made me realize that those little routines, that everyday grind, the dog hair that flies through the air and lands in a giant clump on the floor every single time I give my Corgi a good rubdown, well, those things are what makes our hearts beat. They’re not glamorous but, in a strange way, once you’ve been away from them, you realize they’re precious.
I say, “Seize the day!” Take a step back from your normal grind and give yourself a little retreat. It’s a gift that keeps on giving. And, if anybody deserves that gift, you do!
Stay Divine,
JL PARISH
