Being too serious about lighter things can ruin them, for instance by undermining spontaneity. At the same time, a certain intentionality is always in order, especially when arranging things for others. Vacation can have a significant place in life, and so it calls for a fitting examination.

My son and daughter-in-law have a one-year-old girl. In noticing how she is already so aware and responsive to the world, we reflected together on the amazing reality of the long, slow process of learning how to be rational—that is, to be human. What an astounding symphony of diverse things come together over time to form a human person!

The household is the primary workshop of human life; it is the daily context for young and old to grow into themselves. Without question, what we call ‘work’ in the more narrow and obvious sense is a central human activity. Yet Aristotle notes that “we need relaxation because we cannot work continuously.” Non-work activities then are also an essential feature of the great ‘work’ [broader sense] of life—of crafting ourselves and others into our true selves. Sometimes we must set aside work for the sake of just relaxing, as well as for a deeper renewal through leisure.

Vacation is a great context to focus on and so hone these non-work activities. In this way, it is not only a special instance of concentrated relaxation but also a kind of practice for the relaxation and leisure that should be a regular part of our life.

From this angle it becomes clear why vacation is worthy of intentional arrangement. We can craft our vacations so that they craft our life. This will take practice and even finesse. Yet hopefully we can do this in such a way that vacation is light and relaxing while also meaningful and truly refreshing. The wonderful seriousness of life calls us to try our best; and even our somewhat fitful and unsure efforts can still have wonderful fruits. ~ ~ ~

NEW PODCAST ON VACATIONS: Join Sofia and me in discussing how to be intentional about vacations in this episode of the Intentional Household podcast.

ALSO REGISTER FOR MY FREE ONLINE SUMMER COURSE AT THE INSTITUTE OF CATHOLIC CULTURE: Household and the Common Good. Last day to register is this Friday!

And announcing LIFECRAFT DAY at the BARN! ‘Doing Music and Dance Right in Our Homes and Communities.’ Come join us IN PERSON and get a whole new perspective on music in the home, dancing at weddings, schools, and youth groups, and more! Information and Registration HERE.

John Cuddeback

Husband, father, and professor of Philosophy. LifeCraft springs from one conviction: there is an ancient wisdom about how to live the good life in our homes, with our families; and it is worth our time to hearken to it. Let’s rediscover it together. Learn more.