There is a peculiar truth about vacations: Being yourself in a place where you have no attachments or connections isn’t really being yourself. Not entirely. We are who we are partially as a result of the attachments we have in our lives. To deny that would be to admit that the people in your life have absolutely no effect on any aspect of your life. For example, being raised by one parent as opposed to the other can dramatically influence who you become. The same can be said of your surroundings.
I spent the past few days in Dallas, Texas. I didn’t need to wake up at any specific time to make sure the kids were taken care of. I didn’t need to think about ways that I could find time to spend with my wife. I didn’t teach a single class, lift a single weight, dribble a ball, or any of the things I devote my time to on a daily basis. All of this was stripped away and with this the burden of my daily life fell away and I was able to focus on one thing. It was, at times, a hyper-focus. I zoomed in on the words and sought to gain an understanding of what I was creating. Dallas was useful beyond explanation it served as a way to recharge my dying batteries so that I may power through the rest of the semester intact. All I did was write, take in the conference, and spend time with people I care about. Such things are undoubtedly good for the soul.
Who I was when I was there made me recognize what is holding me back from being the best possible version of myself when I am home: responsibility & routine. There is a devil in routine that allows us to forget to question if what is routine is also valid and good. Because I am laden with so much responsibility it is simpler to just schedule everything into a routine, power through and get on to the next day. This is no way to live. Life is evolution, and that requires a moment to reflect on your own growth.