Forget Vacations and Staycations... how about a Becation?

The vacation. The high point of the year, the oasis of freedom in a desert of routine. Vacations make the monotony of the mundane more bearable, shining a light on the horizon we can look forward to.

We imagine our perfect week of bliss. The white sand. The transparent ocean. The freedom to do nothing at all.

Often when we go on vacations, we get more stressed than normal, preparing everything, making sure everything and everyone is organized. Taking the children, packing the suitcases, leaving the house and the dog in good hands. Then, after the stress of travel, and checking in to the hotel, we set about sight seeing. In reality, we often do the same thing we do in our normal routine: we fill our days with activities, the pace doesn’t really go down at all. When we return home, we need another vacation just to rest from the vacation!

In times of vacations and staycations, I propose a new concept: a BEcation. What we really need is time to be. Time to listen to ourselves, to disconnect from the constant doing of daily life, and find the time to do nothing at all. We are usually so busy that we have lost touch with our inner voice, we have forgotten what we really want.

How do you have a becation? By taking some time just to be with yourself. To go inwards and listen. To feel whatever might come up, be it peace and joy, or anxiety and insecurity. Being with yourself naturally makes you more conscious. Being present in the moment, silently observing what is happening in your surroundings, brings greater clarity into your life. It helps you dissociate from the chaotic thoughts based in fear and criticism that so often dominate our decisions. It helps you discern between the fears of the mind and the truth of the heart. It helps you get your priorities in order.

Why not make your next vacation a becation? You spend so much time doing, can’t you spare a few days just for yourself?

Isha Judd is an internationally renowned spiritual teacher and author; her latest book and movie, Why Walk When You Can Fly? explain her system for self-love and the expansion of consciousness. Learn more at www.whywalkwhenyoucanfly.com.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

LMj S.

6:19PM PST on Feb 16, 2012

thank you.

send a green star

Michele W.

12:59PM PST on Nov 15, 2011

Thank you

KS G.

5:28AM PDT on Sep 15, 2011

Thanks for the article.

Heather D.

7:39PM PDT on Mar 14, 2011

This makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the tip!

leyna s.

3:03PM PST on Nov 9, 2010

Love it

Susan S.

4:46PM PDT on Sep 12, 2010

I am so grateful for having the fortune to be able to engage in these 'becations'. They help me to reground myself, and to keep centered. The only reason I am able to I think is because I don't HAVE TO work and have the choice.

Patrick W.

3:54AM PDT on Sep 7, 2010

why not

Alicia N.

12:49PM PDT on Apr 19, 2010

Thanks for the tips and for posting your article. Have a great day.

Dunagiri R.

4:51PM PDT on Aug 10, 2009

Perhaps it is a sad indication of today's lifestyles, if taking time to simply BE, is a novel idea. We should each include time for ourselves, daily...as simply as we include time to eat or drink. A time for silence, contemplation, relaxation and peace as part of our everyday life, is not something we should have to plan for, but something that should simply BE. Balance and health depend on it.

As far as vacations go, there are creative ways to both stimulate the mind and body,expand horizons...AND find balance with taking time for one's self. Many vacations focus on active experiences, balanced with the time for relaxation, peaceful pursuits...and simply being.

Subhash J.

8:46AM PDT on Jul 29, 2009

While in the Army, in my various positions, I found that whenever I visited anywhere, my schedule was packed with 'DO EVERYTHINGS's. Frankly, I was tired, fed up and disgusted because the hosts thought that every moment of my visit time had to be filled with something to do.

I suddenly realised that when I was at the level when I had to plan events for my senior visting officers, I had done the same thing and used to wonder why some of them went away dissatisfied. I knew the reason; I sat down to write a note to all those with me to leave adequate time with any visiting superior to do things that they may wish to do while outlining the leisure activities that could be made available.

This worked. I found that while I was at a senior enough level but I still had many superiors who would visit on inspections, other visits etc and found that their visits concluded on most satisfactory note.

I, for one, love a BECATION, my holiday activity could range from just watching movies on the television or a game of basketball at the pace that my age allows or simply a trek ranging in areas in plains, a forest or in high mountains. I ask my wife whether she would join me and often we settle on something acceptable to both of us except my treks in the highlands when she chooses to go visit our son in Brisbane.

Sitting down with a book is another great BECATION for me.

I recommend a BECATION strongly to everyone while I acknowledge that Isha has done a much better job of it -