I have just come back from holiday – my mind always goes crazy when I am on holiday. And although the process was not always comfortable I have ended up somewhere really good.

Many of you may be familiar with “Desiderata” – I quote it in its entirety just in case anyone has not stumbled upon it:

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be critical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

© Max Ehrmann 1927

The first few days of my holiday seemed to be perfect proof of the lines:

“If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.”

Whilst on holiday I had time to read the paper  – I also had time to indulge in pointless and wretched thoughts – measuring my achievements – academic /career / financial – with others;  my talents;  my efforts to be “green” etc etc  with splendid and heroic individuals whose stories were told  in the colour supplement magazines…

But during my “re-entry” into normal life – driving across several counties and visiting relatives – I found myself in a very different experience. I found that though we had stayed in / travelled through fabulously picturesque locations  – that actually I much prefer my countryside not to look like a film set;   I found that my considerably smaller and less glamourous home was much more to my taste;   and I found that through hearing honest accounts of other people’s lives – that things that sounded amazing on the outside – soon looked very different when one had a fuller picture.

And so I have come home – ready to be home… ready to embrace my life just as it is… and finding it – when compared with a week in an incredibly beautiful bit of England;  staying in a house many times more opulent than mine;  doing nothing but indulging my every whim – finding that my life is quite, quite perfect – for me.

BUT… and this is big BUT…

I have also found that – I went on two holidays last year,  and didn’t really enjoy either of them,   and that the last time I felt really relaxed and carefree was in September 2013…and that,  although I have found that I have the perfect life for me – without my week away – in my film set : )  … I couldn’t see, feel, appreciate what I have…

And so… I am already planning my holiday next year … it too will be in a “film set” … only next time I am giving myself two weeks … because I don’t want to go so long again without realising what I have – and being rested enough to enjoy it : )