Time off- good for the mind

I recently spent a week off with my family in the uber outdoor activity haven of Sunriver, Or, just outside of Bend. I had been watching the weather anticipating clear warm days and cool nights. But the weather on my iPhone weather app, did not look so good. Cloudy and 50’s. Just like here. I kept telling myself, don’t worry, it’s the time off connecting with my immediate family that matters, not the weather,

I was visualizing and planning this trip for awhile. We booked a home through VRBO.com. An incredible website that has vacation rentals by owners all over the place. The two times I use the service, I was very happy. Anyway, it occurred to me that great vacations are not unlike great projects. Plan it well, and then toss yourself into it. With confidence and experience and a certain amount of trusting your instincts, it comes out great. Sure enough, as soon as we crossed over the cascades heading east, the sun popped out and the temp raised to the mid 70’s and it was comforting just to know I was away from the studio for a week to enjoy myself.

During our stay, my youngest son, Nikita and I took a bit of a challenging bike ride, for me at least, he kicked my ass. We rode up to Mt. Bachelor from Sunriver. About a 44 mile round trip with 2100’ of elevation gain. It was intense. There were times when I thought I could not make it. I kept looking up seeing Nikita pushing ahead, so I just kept on going until it finally leveled out and there we were. Just like anything else it was a step by step process that if I kept on going, I would get there. such as in life and work. I made a conscious effort to really take notice on the way. Smell the daisies as it were. I wanted to enjoy the process not just the result. Just like projects we work on, I enjoy the process albeit sometimes frustrating, I keep reminding myself this is what I live for, the creative process.

You know what? I think I enjoyed the result more.

Daniel Cardenas
Creative Director/Founder