Back to the Grind
My vacation week at an end, I sit here waiting
for my flight with that
exhausted-satisfied-expectant feeling that comes at
the end of most vacations. Exhausted from a week of
play in a hot and humid climate. Satisfied by the
much-needed rest and relaxation. Expectant of a
return to the routine of daily life.
In our overworked culture, vacations come with a
great deal of anticipation. Such anticipation helps
us through long and stressful work days, giving us
something to look forward to. Long before the
vacation starts, we research our destination,
living vicariously through the accounts of travel
writers and guidebook descriptions. On the day of
travel, we feel like a child on Christmas Day.
By the end of the vacation, whether the holiday
failed or exceeded expectations, we often feel
ready to return to the daily grind. That's not to
say we look forward to getting back to the stress
of work and the monotony of traffic jams. But after
living out of a suitcase for a week or more, eating
out all the time, sometimes drinking too much,
getting too much sun and playing too hard, the
simplicity of staying home has an appeal all its
own. The anticipation of returning to the daily
routine may not run as high nor burn as strong as
the expectancy of the vacation itself, but little
things like watching the news or feeding the cat
can seem attractive.
I've had a great week, and I'm not looking
forward to jumping back into another 60-hour work
week, but at least I feel re-energized and ready to
tackle whatever life throws at me—at least
this week.
©2003 Michael
Strickland ALL RIGHTS
RESERVED
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