Dear Friends,

I appreciate how many of you supported and encouraged my following my heart and taking a vacation in Kauai. I looked forward to it for so long, and it seemed like it was so short. You know what they say — time flies when you’re having fun. I’ve been back in the office a couple of days now and am struggling not to let my time in Hawaii become just a distant memory. How can I hold onto some of what nourished me while I was there?

On vacation, it was easy to do the things that I know are nourishing for me. I walked at least two miles on the beach every day, ate delicious local foods, read a couple of books, watched some movies, and got my daily quota of Vitamin D from the sun.

Now that I’m home again, my challenge is to bring some of the fun and self-care that was so easy in Hawaii into my daily life. I need nourishment on a daily basis. A friend suggested that rather than making a major effort to change my habits or patterns, I experiment. I’ve discovered that it’s easier to try something new if I call it an experiment.

In one of my Daily Om emails last week, it said:

“When we allow ourselves the freedom to do whatever brings us pleasure, five minutes out of 14 wakeful hours can brighten our lives immeasurably.

It is often when we have the least free time or energy to devote to joy that we need to unwind and enjoy ourselves the most. Making happiness a priority will help you find five minutes every day to indulge in the things that inspire elation within you. Eventually, your happiness breaks will become an established part of your routine.”

I’m going to experiment with this idea — 5 minutes a day (minimum) for a happiness break. It doesn’t seem like much, but it’s something. Today I sat in the sun for 20 minutes while I ate lunch.

Leave a comment, or read comments left by others.

In the spirit of healing,

Jan Adrian's signature

Jan Adrian, MSW
Founder and Executive Director

Return to Turning Points eNewsletter – April 2011