Family Travel Series Part 5

Today I want to share some important character building values that we can all learn if we make a point to stay aware while we are on vacation. It's easy to take a vacation and stay completely unaware of what I call open windows of opportunity. We become so engrossed in the activity, and so consumer oriented, that we overlook those subtle moments that can be used for character building.
Open windows of opportunity happen daily in our lives but they are easy to miss. These are the short moments when someone gives you a small piece of their heart or lets you into their world. It is the perfect time to build relationships and grow character. Often we are so involved and into ourselves that we are unaware when a window has been opened. If these windows are hard to find in our daily lives, how can taking a vacation help us to more aware of when they are open?
While it is true that the vacation itself is the topic of the moment, it is also true that you are in an ideal moment to be relationship building with your spouse or children. Stop and listen. Sometimes when someone is away from their daily routine, they can be more open to self expression. They are more relaxed, more contemplative, more observant.
If you or your family member have never kept a journal, vacations are perfect times to start. Get a travel journal and express your thoughts and experiences. Talk about them too. If you are vacationing to visit friends or family share your stories with your spouse and children. Prompt them about what will be expected of them. If you are vacationing with extended family how will everyone be able to pitch in to cooperate in harmony? If you are vacationing abroad, be aware of cultural differences and how you and your family can be a respectful guest in someone else's country. If you are traveling with children listen to their queues as they are learning about the world around them, and be ready to help them find answers to their questions- all the whys and all the whats.
Listen, write, talk, grow, and guide. New adventures to experience together, the chance to build more virtuous character as you look for those open windows, this is the hidden surprise of your vacation!