Renewal

摘要

Whoever coined the phrase, "The Lazy Days of Summer," certainly didn't have my family in mind. Even though we left behind the grind of getting the kids up and off to school and, later, taxiing them to evening activities, it seems that we have simply swapped one set of activities for a new one. With baseball practice, dance recitals, Cub Scouts, and tennis lessons for the kids, and summer yard work capping off a busy summer season at work for both Karen and me, the opportunity to clear out of town for a long weekend shines like a beacon of sanity in a chaotic landscape. From the relative serenity of a beachside chaise or the solitude of a gently undulating fishing boat, the chance to let my mind unwind from the frenetic multi-tasking involved in daily life is a more-than-welcome respite. Thus disengaged and away from all the details, which constantly demand my attention, I find that I can put things back into perspective and focus on the big picture. Where am I headed? Is it where I want to go? How can I improve myself and make things better for my family? Can we work better as a team to manage our lives? What should I be doing to keep my life in balance? Too often, we get stuck in a rut. Running from point to point-being on time, fulfilling responsibilities-it is easy to fall into a nearly automated state and lose track of the things that make life worth living.