To me, vacations seems to be nothing more than a worldly pursuit, and likely sinful. Married couple should put their effort into proving for their family, and tending to their spiritual life. Spending money on "going somewhere" is a waste, when it could have been used to provide for the family, or donated to the Church or to the poor. Anything else seems like an extravagance. Plus, "going somewhere" to "see things" shows how much you care about the world instead of the spiritual life. Tend to your spiritual life, and you will see all that needs to be seen when you die. We have been given the perfect design for rest and relaxation - Sunday. Refrain from work on that day, and that should be all the rest you need.
Who's with me?
For me, this is another example of taking faith and religious observance too far. Are you suggesting that folk work for 52 weeks of the year, and only ever take Sundays off? I know there is a different attitude to vacation time in the US compared with Europe, but even with that cultural difference, never taking a vacation seems quite extreme. It may work out ok for you, but it certainly wouldn't for me.
I have an annual paid vacation entitlement of 35 days, plus set public holidays (of which there are 12 per annum). I don't go away every time I take holidays from work, but I do try to have one holiday a year.
When I was a kid, my Dad always took us on holiday for 2 weeks in July. Mostly these trips were here in Ireland, and as well as my parents and 3 siblings, my Grandmother always came with us. Some of my happiest childhood memories are from these family holidays. They were quality family time, away from the everyday stresses of school/college or work.
From I started school until I left home for university (which was 14 years. For kids planning to go to university here in Ireland & the UK, you must have 14 years of school - 7 in 'primary school' and 7 in grammar school) my Dad worked 2 jobs to earn enough money to support us. I would see him briefly early in the morning before he left for work, and then again briefly in the evening before bed, and he worked most Saturday mornings too. So throughout the year, Saturday afternoon/evening and all day Sunday were when I saw my Dad. So vacation time from work was very very important for us as a family, as it allowed us to spend much needed quality time together.
My folks must have done something right in how they raised us. My 3 siblings and I each speak to them at least once every day. I see them several times a week, and I have a much better relationship with my parents than any of my close friends have with theirs. In part I think that is because of the bonding and shared experiences we had on vacation.
Topic: Vacations are for the Worldly (Read 1348 times)