Anyone who spends time with me knows that I enjoy my occasional visits home to see family and friends. After running around Long Beach and Los Angeles for any extended period of time, it’s always nice to slow down and enjoy the simplicity of my hometown. There is rarely traffic, essentially no need for a crowded public transportation, and the best home-cooked food that anyone could ask for.

Unfortunately though, my family time has been cut to a minimum during the past few months due to speaking and school. Recently, I discovered that I wouldn’t be able to make it home for Thanksgiving (sorry, Escalon). Needless to say, not getting to visit home for one of my favorite family times can definitely be a downer.

Like I mentioned in my last week’s blog (Break the Cycle), I spontaneously planned a mini vacation for my Halloween weekend.

My itinerary was simple: get in my car, drive 350 miles north, and hang out with my family.

The weekend was fantastic. Not only did I get the chance to catch up and hang out with my mom, dad, and brother, but I also was able to see some extended family. While I was away from the house, I found myself meeting up with old classmates and friends that still live in town.

Regardless of where I was or who I was enjoying time with, one question would always begin the conversation: “Why did you decide to come home this weekend?”

Was it for Halloween? A three-day weekend perhaps? Was it someone’s birthday?

I even found myself asking the same question. Was there a holiday I was home to celebrate? No (I had no big plans for Halloween other than seeing a few friends). Was there any special occasion? Nope. Was there a dire need for me to be up north? Negative.

Why then did I make the huge drive?

With the holiday season right around the corner, many of us find ourselves scheduling our lives around dates and holidays that make them convenient.

Feel like giving back to others? I’ll wait for Thanksgiving. Want to show someone that you care about them? I’ll get them something nice for Christmas. Want to change something about your life that you are unsatisfied with? Wait for New Years to make a resolution!

Like I soon discovered on my trip home, some of the best days of your year are those when you take it upon yourself to do something just because you sincerely want to. Rather than wait for a specified date, I had made the trip home strictly because I missed my family and wanted to spend time with them.

What I was able to learn this weekend is simple: It doesn’t take a holiday to express love. There is no need to wait for a scheduled time to improve your own life. It doesn’t require a special date to show others how much they mean to you.

So with that said, here are some questions that you might want to think about as the week continues:

Why not make tomorrow the day you tell someone how much they mean to you?

Why wait until January 1st to make a resolution? Why not this exact moment?

How long has it been since you’ve reconnected with old family or friends? Do you have to wait until Thanksgiving?

Finally, why not make today your own special holiday?

I think we can all benefit from taking some time out of our busy days to simply celebrate life. Just like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any other holiday, turning random days into a celebration spreads happiness just about everywhere.

So in that case, let’s celebrate! Happy Wednesday everyone =)

***What are you celebrating this week? Email me and let me know! Scott@ScottBackovich.com***

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 9:44 pm. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.