The Real Value of a Vacation

Okay, so this band is not yet prime time, but just like the book I'm going to tell you about - I highly recommend downloading some tunes for the road and they are a great place to start. Besides, the lyrics in their music are a good theme to this blog. Check them out at http://www.boyceavenue.com/

I intend to utilize this blog to not only educate potential Destin tourists on the Destin Experience, but I hope you wont mind if I also use it to let you know that while you might be lured to our beautiful destination by our beaches - we have something much more timeless to share with you.

I pride myself on my time management skills; I always accomplish an incredibly high volume of work in a short period of time, but it has come to my attention that I might be spending my time effeciently but not meaningfully. My boss reads this blog so bear with me here - I'm not talking about work tasks, I'm talking about life tasks.

I would imagine that the majority of you that find this blog like to read in general, so I urge you to pick up a copy of Randy Pausch's book, The Last Lecture. I'm only half way through, but I know that there is not one person who would not benefit from having it in their library. This book would be a perfect book on tape to burn to a CD before you hit the road down to Destin. The entire family should hear it. When I was a little girl my mother made sure that I read, Louisa May Alcott's book, "Little Women". I assure you that I will spend the next few weeks reading The Last Lecture to my family.

Destin has luxurious sugar-white beaches, and you might remark to your friends and colleagues about the amazing sunset, but I promise you it is the stories that you go home with that will last a lifetime. Life can be absolutely overwhelming with bills, children, educations, retirement looming, and lately - the gasoline prices! Let it all go, even if it is just for a few days, make sure you go home with stories. Vivid memories of your child on go karts for the first time, the look of terror as your child goes down a slide at Big Kahunas for the first time, the way the birds stole your ketchup packet at Whales Tail when you were eating some scrumptious tuna dip (they really do that by the way!). Play cards with the family and drink a bottle of wine or two, go to Walmart and pick out a game you have never played (I highly recommend every group of friends try Catch Phrase). Spend a few dollars on a professional photographer, dress up the friends and family in matching outfits and head to the beach - it will be a great mantle piece to come home to after those long nights at the office.

When I look back on my life thus far, it is marked by moments with friends and loved ones, not bills, due dates or task lists. And when you get here, turn off your cell phone and keep the laptop packed up - seriously, those things can wait.