I recently started a new job. My sister and I went down to Miami Beach for a vacation during the break before my new job. We were there from Tuesday morning through Thursday evening.
We were blessed with perfect weather, mid-80’s by day, sunny and not a drop of rain. We sat at the beach for three days straight, watching and listening to the waves, running along the sand, walking the boardwalk, wading, lounging in the sun, and reading. I read a parenting book (I thought this was a nice basic overview of some interesting concepts) and a travel memoir (this one really made me laugh out loud). I really enjoy parenting books…maybe more on that some other time.
I felt every part of me slowing down. I spent a lot of time sitting in the sand looking out at the water and thinking about where I am and where I want to go. I thought about what I want to be doing regularly in my ruchniyus life five years down the line. I thought about where I want to take my career and how I could make myself happier in my field. I thought about changes I could make towards a healthier me. Just watching the waves roll in and out and breathing deeply with them, feeling the sand pour through my fingers and the sun warm me…it was so peaceful and grounding.
One morning, I went for a stroll myself along the bay looking at the boats. Best boat names: Family Ties, Hiatus, and Meant To Be.
We stayed at the Grand Beach Hotel. (Tip: Ask for a room as high up as possible. More specifically, you do not want to be on the seventh floor at the level of the pool, or on the eighth or ninth floors overlooking the pool, for that matter.) Concierge held our bags for us the first day before our room was ready and the last day after we checked out. We had a suite with a refrigerator that we stocked with cheese, yogurt, tuna salad, and chummus for breakfast and lunch. Our walk from the hotel to the restaurants and groceries on 41st Street was about twenty-five minutes. We bought Groupons to save a little on dinner the first two nights, and we ordered delivery to the hotel for an early dinner the last day before our flight. I’m really grateful; b”H every detail worked out smoothly for us.
This vacation was just what the doctor ordered. I hope wherever you are, you’re finding ways to slow down, too.
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