The Value of Getting Away

EVERYBODY needs a vacation! This is especially true for working adults. The demands of a job, obligations in the community, and the necessities of the home cause some to miss the joys, delights, and freedoms which are possible during vacation periods. Kids also need time away from customary activities, homework, or other responsibilities. Even retirees can benefit from diversions, a change of scenery, and a break in their regular routines. Getting away from home, familiar surroundings, and ordinary things for a while can work wonders - and be like a breath of fresh air - for everyone.

It's so easy to get caught-up in all the usual things which - we believe - must be done. Unless we are very careful, our lives can become more regimented week after week. Before long, some of us can find ourselves in the "rat race" of human existence. When this happens, life seems to become a maze, and we are continually rushing to turn every corner in order to arrive at the finish line for each and every day. A solution to this dilemma is to slow down, prioritize our "to do" lists, and to purposefully plan vacations and get-away times on a regular basis. And, with regard to a job or a career, perhaps we need to work smarter - not harder!

The traditional summer vacation for a week, two weeks, or longer is still popular. However, because of the need to juggle increasingly complex scheduling situations, some are opting for shorter vacation time periods - but more of them per year. In addition to regular vacations, long weekends of three or four days are considered "mini-vacations" by a growing number of people. Their desire is to arrange more convenient schedules for time off work or time away from home.

The question of where to go on a vacation must be considered, of course. But also, questions such as mode of transportation, type of accommodations, length of stay, vacation activities, cost - and perhaps others - must also be resolved. Keep in mind that distance from home to the intended destination is not always the most important factor. Often, destinations closer to home are just as good - or better - than others which are many miles further away.

The sky is the limit when thinking about travel destinations and vacation attractions! There are hundreds of thousands all across the United States - and around the world - which would be excellent choices. Remember that the journey to and from the destination should also be as pleasurable as possible. Above all else, however, is realizing the value of getting away.
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-- The photo above is of the Chateau On The Lake, located in Branson, Mo.