In our real lives, we too often go through our days on autopilot, moving from one activity to the next with our minds only half present. On vacation, at least after the initial decompression period, we’re more attuned to the moment because each experience is fresh. We notice everything so much more acutely—the sights, sounds, smells, and flavors of an unfamiliar place.

The good news is that we can create mini-vacations for ourselves in the course of an ordinary day by training ourselves to focus our attention on the details of even the most mundane activities. In this state of “mindfulness”–of full awareness, of being totally present in the moment– everything around us takes on a heightened intensity.

Following my descent from the mountains and vacation bliss, I’ve looked for small opportunities to get my holiday groove back. I read a novel in the middle of the day and ignored my To Do list. I walked across the street from my office and sat on a park bench in the blistering heat, listening to the sounds of children playing in a city pool I hadn’t known existed. I savored an ice cream cone. And I cleaned out my linen closet. More about this last one in the next post.