TAKING TIME OFF

Working full-time means I’m in the office every day with my two assistants. By the end of the day, I can really feel the fatigue setting in. Don’t get me wrong — my work with people is rewarding, both financially and emotionally — but it can also start to feel like a routine.

I’ve been thinking for a while about how to step away from that rhythm, even just for a little while. I’m not talking about a full vacation, but more about finding a way to relax and not think about work during the day. Of course, weekends are usually spent with my wife and our little labradoodle Max, which I love, but that’s a different kind of busy.

Then the opportunity came along on Columbus Day, which fell on a Monday. My assistants had the day off, and after I dropped Max off at the dog sitter, I decided to do something just for myself. I went to the Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park.

It turned out to be exactly what I needed. The hour I spent there felt like one long, peaceful breath. I wandered along quiet, hidden pathways, sat under a huge tree, watched a small lake covered in green algae, and took photos of unusual flowers. It was simple, but somehow deeply refreshing.

Time went by so quickly, and by the end I felt completely recharged. I’m already looking forward to the next holiday, when I can do something like that again. In the meantime, I’ll keep the memory — and the photos — as a reminder that sometimes an hour of peace is all it takes to feel human again.

Enjoy and Share!