We’re probably not often able to get away for an extended period of time, but fortunately I was able to jump at an opportunity. Of course, I had to create this “opportunity” myself and I am ever so grateful that I both could and would. At this juncture in life when there are fewer days in the future than ones already lived, I feel the pressure to try to make certain things into priorities. It would be a lot easier to just keep trudging forward, day after day, same old, same old. But, lucky for me, that’s not a strong personality trait. Time to shake things up.

             Being a Southern California wimp, I get mighty cold here in the dead of winter. Warm tropical breezes beckoned me. After much deliberation, and mental wrestling and planning, I leaped. Part of the family joined us for the first week, then my husband stayed on for the next eight days. After he left, I had a short time on my own before being joined by my sister and a friend. I came to feel rather at home on the big island of Hawaii.

            Besides escaping the cold weather for a respite, the getaway served another very important part of my total wellbeing. I somehow felt the need to escape my life (my usual responsibilities). I doubt I’m alone in sometimes feeling that everything seems to be too much. But in order to get ready for the trip, I had to be proactive with all those responsibilities, on top of all the normal ones of the day. And, yes, I did have to deal with some of those while gone. Once home, I hit the ground running. Unpacking had to come later. It’s just the nature of it. One can only take a vacation away from normal day-to-day living for so long—until our inevitable end.     

            Getting away allows me to experience something different which can bring other perspectives into my life. Like putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes. Even if it’s the minor shift of not assuming that we’re the only one having a bad day. Or deciding not to get impatient with the slow car in front of us since they might have carsick passengers in the back seat or a baby who just fell asleep… Let’s not make assumptions that we are in the right. As Pema Chodron says, “Engage the next moment without an agenda.”

            Part of our adventure was staying at a Hawaiian farm. The night sounds are quite different from here. The coqui frogs sounded to me like very loud exotic birds, providing an eerie chorus which took a while to get used to, especially since we had the windows open 24/7. Geckos were welcome housemates who entertained us with their presence. Spiders and their webs are abundant everywhere. We learned to walk under or between foliage while waving our arm ahead. Just different things to get used to and appreciate.  

              Hikes along cliffs above the rocky shorelines provide breathtaking views. Gentle tropical breezes caress the skin and keep it naturally lubricated. Farm stands and farmers markets provide year-round fresh produce. Warmer ocean waters to wade in than we have around here.  The fragrance of plumeria blossoms reward the olfactory system and put a smile on my face. These are certainly highlights of the place.

            Let’s get outside of our own lives once in a while. Go ahead, pick-up that rock and look underneath it. And while we’re at it, perhaps peel away our own hard, crusty outer layer and peer beneath the surface. What we thought of as our protective layer might indeed be what’s keeping us trapped.   

Chi Varnado has published six books including fiction, nonfiction and children’s books. They are available on www.amazon.com. Her collection of essays, Quail Mutterings, can be found on www.chivarnado.com or www.dancecentrepresents.com.