Planning the perfect summer vacation isn't difficult with an unlimited budget and an open schedule. But what if you have limited vacation dollars or are looking for something more unusual than a sandy beach and palm trees? As it turns out, some of the best vacations are also some of the cheapest.
STAY HOME!
When work schedules turn our home life upside down, life becomes particularly chaotic. Those unpaid bills, unwashed clothes, and a social life that has gone missing in action can make for a huge amount of stress. A few years ago, I took two weeks off and simply stayed home. There was a huge amount of satisfaction that came with knowing that I could finally clear up all the little undone chores that nagged at me everyday. My only responsibilities were a long nap and a silly movie with friends every night. It was my most indulgent vacation ever.
GIVE BACK!
Many of us would like to do more for the causes we believe in but there simply aren't enough hours in the day. But experience has shown me that volunteer work is one of the great joys in my life. So I would suggest that a week spent volunteering for a good organization in your town could bring you more pleasure than the luxuries of exotic lands. And for those of you with a few more resources, there are also plenty of opportunities to travel abroad with charitable organizations to do volunteer work.
GET SPIRITUAL!
I enjoy many spiritual practices, from meditation classes and yoga to walks in nature. Why not gorge on some of these activities at home for a few days as a peaceful, stress-relieving vacation? I can guarantee you will feel more peaceful in a yoga class than in the security line at the airport.
ALL NATURE ALL THE TIME!
Although I'm not one for camping, I do enjoy daylong hikes in the beautiful mountains around Los Angeles. But you would think those mountains didn't exist during my regular work routine. I rarely even get there on weekends when I am exhausted from the week. So check out the natural wonders that exist in nearly every area and drink them in for a few days. The best part...they're free!
For those of you with an exotic and ambitious trip planned this summer, I hope you have a wonderful time. For everybody else, don't forget that a great, cheap vacation is waiting close to home.
The Principles
by Patrick Moore
Available now on Lulu.com, Amazon.Com, and BarnesandNoble.com.
STAY HOME!
When work schedules turn our home life upside down, life becomes particularly chaotic. Those unpaid bills, unwashed clothes, and a social life that has gone missing in action can make for a huge amount of stress. A few years ago, I took two weeks off and simply stayed home. There was a huge amount of satisfaction that came with knowing that I could finally clear up all the little undone chores that nagged at me everyday. My only responsibilities were a long nap and a silly movie with friends every night. It was my most indulgent vacation ever.
GIVE BACK!
Many of us would like to do more for the causes we believe in but there simply aren't enough hours in the day. But experience has shown me that volunteer work is one of the great joys in my life. So I would suggest that a week spent volunteering for a good organization in your town could bring you more pleasure than the luxuries of exotic lands. And for those of you with a few more resources, there are also plenty of opportunities to travel abroad with charitable organizations to do volunteer work.
GET SPIRITUAL!
I enjoy many spiritual practices, from meditation classes and yoga to walks in nature. Why not gorge on some of these activities at home for a few days as a peaceful, stress-relieving vacation? I can guarantee you will feel more peaceful in a yoga class than in the security line at the airport.
ALL NATURE ALL THE TIME!
Although I'm not one for camping, I do enjoy daylong hikes in the beautiful mountains around Los Angeles. But you would think those mountains didn't exist during my regular work routine. I rarely even get there on weekends when I am exhausted from the week. So check out the natural wonders that exist in nearly every area and drink them in for a few days. The best part...they're free!
For those of you with an exotic and ambitious trip planned this summer, I hope you have a wonderful time. For everybody else, don't forget that a great, cheap vacation is waiting close to home.
The Principles
by Patrick Moore
Available now on Lulu.com, Amazon.Com, and BarnesandNoble.com.
2007 Patrick Moore
. All Rights Reserved.
