Our word ‘vacation’ comes from an interesting Latin verb that means to be idle, empty, free, or unoccupied. This gives occasion to consider an important question: why do we go ‘on vacation’ anyway?
Vacations reasonably can have various purposes. But a line in the forty-sixth Psalm can point to the deeper potential of our vacations. In the Latin it says, “vacate et videte.” These are plural imperatives, and so can be translated “Be still (or unoccupied, or idle), and see…” This is a remarkable directive.
In order to be able to see, we must at least sometimes stop the other things we are doing. Thomas Aquinas reflecting on this line comments that it is through rest or quiet of the mind that we come to vision—that is, especially to knowledge of higher things.
Herein we have a great angle for thinking about our vacation. It’s not that it should be a contemplative retreat—certainly not if it is a family vacation with children! But we can ask ourselves how a family vacation (or any vacation) might be an occasion for coming to see, or grasp more fully, certain important things, such as: the beauty and gift of the natural world; the importance of family relationships in our life; the power of being-together in simple ways with those we love; the gift of being a child of God.
Let me be clear that I’m not suggesting we be overly serious about vacation and thereby undermine its very nature as a restful-get-away. Rather, I’m suggesting we can make vacation a better restful-get-away if we are attuned to a key truth about human nature. Our ‘down-time’ both occasions and is itself enriched by a contemplative approach.
In other words, our vacations will be more enjoyable and have more lasting fruits if we bear in mind the imperative, ‘vacate et videte.’ Be still, and see. Or: vacation, and seek vision.
My own family vacations show that ‘stillness’ and ‘rest’ will take some carving out, and some creativity. And there will necessarily be at least some frenetic moments in spending this special time together. But that’s fine. If nothing else, my valuing a kind of stillness and deeper rest, for the sake of vision, can give a richer color to our vacation experience this year–even in the midst of a flurry of activity.
Find specific TIPS for MAXIMIZING VACATION THIS YEAR in this SHORT VIDEO :
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So true. I spent 38 years as a prosecutor and didn’t always take time off (I was the supervisor). During the latter half of those years, however, I began to. And those latter years became some of my most productive ones. Vacation let my mind relax and wander which led to more creativity. Ultimately, it made me a better supervisor, husband, dad, etc.
That’s a great testimony, Bob; thank you!
I typically take an annual trip of a week or so. My lodging alternates between hotels and monastery guest houses. This allows for silence and contemplation mixed in with a typical vacation agenda. I’m a Benedictine oblate so I enjoy staying at various monasteries around country. I take an additional 5-6 weeks annually to help area ranchers work cattle in the spring and fall. I work for a bank but have an ag background. Getting away from my computer and working with livestock takes my mind off the daily grind and helps incorporate good honest labor into my year. It’s an odd mix that works well for me and upholds the Benedictine motto of Ora Labora.
Jarrod, I can relate to the seemingly-odd-mix-that-works-out-well! Staying at monasteries has been a great blessing to me too–this is a new level of ‘vacation.’ Thanks much for sharing, and may you continue to live out the great Benedictine tradition.
I have, for a long while now, differentiated between a trip and a vacation. A vacation seems to be more of a time of rest and relaxation. A trip, on the other hand, is time spent in activity away from the home. For example, A week in a minivan with 6 children camping and visiting national parks… definitely a “trip”. (Think road trip) There is no rest or relaxation happening, even though it may be lots of fun. A weekend away with my husband at a friends lake house… definitely a vacation.