Commentary - July 2003

Invest in Yourself

Take a Summer Vacation

by Lyle Brennan

Now that technology has given us cell phones, beepers, email, PDAs and laptop computers, there is no longer any excuse to be out of touch with the workplace. That is, except for the excuse that you’re so stressed out and overburdened that you’re courting a heart attack or a nervous breakdown. Mid-summer is the perfect time to take a break from the frantic hustle-bustle of life in the 21st century – to slow down for a few days and spend time with family and friends – to allow yourself the guilty pleasure of kicking back and doing nothing for a change.

Throughout history, people struggling to support their families have worked hard, but until recently, everyone had a weekly break to rest and regroup. In religious societies, a day of rest was mandated each week to allow for contemplation, prayer and family togetherness. This tradition seems to be gradually phasing out, especially in Nevada, with its 24/7 lifestyle and businesses that never really close. How do you spend your "day of rest" each week? Even if you attend religious services, do you immediately rush home to catch up on work you brought home from the office? As a working parent, your weekends may be spent running all the errands and doing all the housework and paperwork that you didn’t have time for during the workweek. Result: by the end of your "day of rest", you’re exhausted.

So, it’s more important than ever to take a few days off this summer and reacquaint yourself with your spouse, your family and friends. If you can’t afford a two-week vacation in the time-honored tradition of your parents’ generation, take a shorter break, or stay closer to home. There are lots of places to visit in your own state that will make interesting memories. Did you know that Nevada is one of the most mountainous states in the Union? Anyone who’s driven between Reno and Las Vegas might find that hard to believe, but there are beautiful and cool mountains in all parts of Nevada waiting for you to explore and enjoy. Besides the beauty of the Tahoe area, there are the Ruby Mountains in Elko County, Great Basin National Park near Ely and Mount Charleston in Southern Nevada. Get away from the city, teach your kids how to fish, spread out on a blanket at night in the middle of nowhere and look at the Milky Way. Make a memory.

A summer vacation is ideal for spending some quality time with your spouse. Chances are, you’re both so busy and overbooked that you haven’t taken the opportunity lately for some romance, which is an important part of any healthy relationship. Now’s the time for a weekend cruise without the kids, or a trip to a spa for a couples massage, followed by a candlelight dinner or a show featuring a favorite entertainer. Spending a few hours and a few dollars on a romantic getaway is one of the best long-term investments you can make. Helpful hint: for heaven’s sake, turn off your cell phone during the candlelight dinner. Give your spouse the precious gift of your undivided attention.

Kids grow up so fast – be a part of their lives before it’s too late. Take them to a water park, a roller coaster or a mini-raceway. Nevada is full of museums that can teach your whole family about the history of the area and the people who used to live here. Children’s museums, with their interactive exhibits, offer something for everyone – don’t let the kids have all the fun. If you’re not a Nevada native, help your kids connect to their heritage by taking a trip to the area where you grew up. Show them where you went to school, where your old house was and where you used to go for ice cream. The important thing is to make a connection with them. Find out how their minds work, what they think is cool or stupid, what embarrasses or excites them. Hopefully, this bond will survive the ravages of the teen years. As a parent of teenagers, I can tell you, it isn’t easy to keep their trust and respect, but communication makes it less difficult.

If you start working at 16, by the time you reach 65, you’ll have worked over 2,500 weeks. Use just one or two of them this summer for a vacation. You’ll feel better, be healthier and more energized, and have a happier family life. I call that a good investment

Lyle Brennan Publisher
COMMENTS? email: lyle@nbj.com