A Vacation Within

“Taking time to do nothing often brings everything into perspective.” ~ Doe Zantamata
 
I love vacations and I am just as excited about this April vacation of going within as about the vacations I take to Disneyland (and I love Disneyland). For this trip, I don’t have to pack any bags or leave my house.  I am taking time for me and going within to the silence and stillness.  I don’t have to rush off to catch a plane, make reservations or hassle with traffic, lines and rental cars.  I do the exact opposite, I go slow, I pause between activities, and I reflect. I have time to listen to my body and my heart and I answer their callings.
 
I start this vacation by deliberately going slow.  On the first day of the month I want to break free of the habit of rushing from one thing to the next. I do this at the beginning so I set the stage for mindfulness for the rest of the month.  I do one thing at a time.  I am mindful during the task and totally focus on what I am doing.  If a thought arises about something else, I gently release the thought and return to what I am doing. I finish the task before moving on to the next task.  I do this because I typically will think of something else that needs to be done while doing a task and an hour later I realize I have never finished the initial task.  Then, at the end of each task I pause and take time to appreciate what I have done and to enjoy a sense a peace.
 
Do you ever take time between activities?
 
What can you do to slow down and be more mindful during your day?