Last month Along The Purpose Path was about how to identify and stop the energy drains that leave you feeling exhausted and out of balance. I outlined how energy is one of your most valuable resources and invited you to start thinking about how to reserve more energy for yourself.

Now, Id like to offer a suggestion on how to actually build energy and begin to create energy reserves.

One of my favorite ways to recharge my batteries is to take a vacation. Vacations traditionally are defined as a period of time devoted to pleasure, rest, or relaxation especially when there is suspension of school, or business activities. Vacations are usually, unfortunately associated with travel and a commitment of time and money, making them not easily achievable without a lot of planning.

All a vacation is really is a break in your routine with the accompanying positive mental shift that helps you fully absorb and receive the benefits. The key to success is to be as present as possible and remind yourself to fully soak in what you need whether your vacation is for one hour or three weeks. Begin by making sure you clear your space and maximize your ability to receive.

How can you receive the energy building benefit from a vacation without actually taking one? Can you achieve the desired result of rest, pleasure and relaxation within the day-to-day structure of life?

Here are some delicious suggestions:

1. Take a vacation from your thoughts. Your mind is a wonderful, essential part of life. Have you noticed how it likes to work on overtime? Perpetual thinking, worrying, and planning can be exhausting and often counter productive. Give yourself permission to take a vacation from thinking. Periodically, set aside some time to let it all go: perhaps, meditate. Put your thoughts on paper, theyll be there when you return to them. An added benefit is, by taking a step back, youll gain fresh perspective and come back even stronger.

2. Take a day off and plan your favorite activity. If planning a week or two of vacation time is not realistic, plan a day. Clear your schedule of everything and either plan to do nothing, (if thats heaven to you) or plan a day of Ive always wanted to and do it.

3. Plan a special weekend. Be a tourist in your own town. Try new restaurants, explore neighborhoods, or attend a cultural event. One of the ruts its easy to get into is same old, same old. Challenge yourself to see your world through fresh eyes.

4. Spa night. This is a personal favorite. It was a much-loved activity I shared with my daughter when she was little. Now that shes grown and creating her own rituals, its a retreat I enjoy as solitary time. Lock yourself in the bathroom with all your favorite hair and body products and do it up. Light candles, play your favorite music, soak in the tub until youre wrinkled. Pamper yourself.

5. Change it up. Heres where your creativity comes into play. The idea is to make your normal routines new. For example: sleep in a different room, take a break from TV and read engaging novels, (not self-help books). Create themes around mealtimes; bring Mexico or Italy into your kitchen. Spend a rainy Saturday watching old comedies. As Milton Berle said, Laughter is an instant vacation.

Im off now to take a vacation from my own full life. Dinner with my husband in our favorite end of-the-week Mexican restaurant, Ill wear my favorite jeans and imagine were in MexicoIts all in the attitude.

Its YOUR lifelive it completely!