Holiday

How often do we take holidays?

Holiday brings joy to people all around the world. Whether young or old, it does not really matter. All that matters is everyone enjoy their time off from whatever they have to deal with day in day out. Everyone needs a holiday every now and then.

People see holidays differently in all walks of life.

Students love holidays as they can have a break from the never-ending classes to attend to and the constant homework and examinations they have to crack their heads to handle. Having a holiday means they can just leave everything aside for a short while and enjoy the fun activities with peers.

Workers love holidays as they can have a break from the never-ending workload to attend to and the constant pressure from management to come up with new ideas to grow the company. During holidays, they are free to have some long awaited family time.

Entrepreneurs love holidays as they can have a break from the never-ending challenges they face each day. Somehow, whether or not it is a holiday, they tend to always think of means and ways to better lives. They have big dreams that they want to make come true. Their body may be relaxing at a spa, but their mind is always on drive mode. Every little thing that they observe can be the turning point in their life. They are always determined for change and improvement.

There are also people that have a different opinions on holidays.

Hardworking people, especially in the sales line, love working on rest days and public holidays because they get double and triple pay for working while other enjoy their days off. Some people may see them as money-minded but they really are opportunist. They take every opportunity as is and make the best of it. They are usually the ones who are more successful in career than others.

Business owners, especially in the retail line, love holiday seasons because it brings upon them more income. When everyone is on holiday, more people are more willing to spend. This is the best time to make up for any losses in slow months over a year. The best holiday seasons are usually at the end of the year, around November and December. This is the time people all around the world travel with family and friends. When there is movement, there is always prospect to grow economy.

Lately, most of the world has been on lockdown due to a little virus. Everyone is practicing social distancing. It seems like everyone is on holiday, or so we thought.

There is opportunity in every situation. Some people are gaining popularity, some people have decided to start a side hustle. Whatever we had in mind over the years but have no time to start because of our responsibilities and commitment, we now have a little time to think over. There have been self-declared millionaires in the short span on a few months.

Some people had been having a harsh life running from this market to that market selling vegetables. They no longer need to do so during this period because everyone is doing live sessions selling online. The internet is the way to go. Everyone should explore on the possibility to do something new, to provide value to others in an innovative way. This is a great time to explore our capabilities, everything we are worth.

Some people may just loiter in their own mind that they are stuck at home. While it may be true to a certain extent, why not use this time creatively. If we are to take 30 minutes a day to imagine we are somewhere else, we would have gone for a short holiday of about a week in a year. With technology, we can visit places we have never been to or have no means to get to. We do not need the skills to climb mountains or the courage to dive into deeps seas. We can already see the world in videos shared by people around the world.

Look at the bright side. We can be on holiday everyday if we choose to.

 

A holiday is an opportunity to journey within. It is also a chance to chill, to relax. It is when I switch on my rest mode.

Uppalapati Venkata Satyanarayana Prabhas Raju (Prabhas), Indian actor, 1979-present

Pamper

Pampering is an action. It transforms us to become a better person.

The very mention of this word means a trip to the spa for many. Laying in comfort with relaxing music and soothing hands massaging our face and body with scents that calm us internally. This is the little things that we can do for ourselves after a week’s worth of hard work. This is the exclusive way we can comfort ourselves, or so as portrayed by marketers.

We are actually spoiled by choices. We live in a world full of variety. If we are to believe that the only way to pamper ourselves is in a spa, we are limiting ourselves to the various other things that can nurture us for the better.

Travelling is always a good way to turn a new leaf. When we travel to a different place, we get to meet with new people and culture, we get to taste the scrumptious meals of the locals, and we get insight from observing the way of life in a place we have never been. We once feel stuck but when we get to see the outside world, we would realize that our problems are merely just something we have to go through. It will be the past very soon.

While travelling the world may sound like a hassle to some and draining off their bank accounts to many. Perhaps a trip to a nearby park or a forest reserve will suffice. See, smell, listen, touch, and feel. Nature has plenty to offer. Observe how nature is. Breathe in the fresh air. Enjoy the whistling leaves and singing birds. Embrace the texture of soil and bark in the surroundings. Sense, use all senses to cleanse our mind and soul in the enchanting atmosphere.

The life of urbanites is hectic, perhaps we feel like we are caught in a concrete jungle, within four walls. Very often, we corner ourselves with limiting beliefs. We trust that we are the only ones who can solve the problems that we are facing. Perhaps we have been living alone for too long. Life is just but not just as is. Leave that couch behind and take a step out that door to meet new people.

There are many ways to meeting new people. We can literally go out there to meet them face to face. Or, for the introverts, we can always choose to stay home and connect with others through social media. Elders may keep reminding us that there are many dangers that lurk in the simulated world. Perhaps we have forgotten that danger exists everywhere. We just have to be vigilant of new friends that we encounter. Be kind, we will know when to stay and when to leave when the time comes.

While being surrounded by people makes us feel acceptance, but can be tiring. Ensure to choose the circle of friends that we want to become. Find a group of like-minded people and they will give you comfort as you would to them. Some will have the same hobbies, while others come from many different backgrounds but are willing to help each other in all ways possible. Stop thinking that help comes in monetary terms! Help is and always will be the mental and spiritual support.

Sometimes we feel like our colleagues are all that we have. It is true at work, but not in life. We should know when to let go. Work should stay in the office. Let home be the place for our sacred soul. Home is the place we find peace. Home is the place we go back to everyday no matter the situation we have had throughout the day.

Pampering can start at home. We can be ourselves. We can indulge in our favourite delicacies, immerse in our favourite books, dress in our favourite pyjamas, lunge in our favourite positions, and toss anything around any place we wish. There are no limits, no rules to follow. We are the rules!

Pampering can start from within. We are who we are. If we want to change for the better, we ought to know how. The first thing we need is to understand who we truly are deep within. Only when we are able to peel down to expose our own depths, we can find peace. This is not only pamper, it is also an act of self-kindness.

We live in a real world but it does not hurt to sometimes fly beyond the clouds. Pampering lifts spirits!

 

Pamper yourself into alignment with who you really are & then face your day.

Esther Hicks nee Weaver (Abraham Hicks), American inspirational speaker and author, 1948-present