Breath..Relax...Accept....Keep.....Enjoy.....

I think those five words are a good acronym.
B reathe
R elax
A ccept
K eep
E njoy

I'm currently on Fall Break (it could possibly be the last one i ever have...crazy) and I'm wondering what it is I want from this break. I see people studying, getting work done and I'm all for that, except I don't really have a lot of work to be doing currently.
So I'm in Chicago with a friend and his family. It's been a few years since I've had to privilege of staying here and living life with these folks.
And this is Fall Break, a break from what I have been doing, which is work at the Olive Garden and school work as well. I intend to break from the normal routine of what I normally would be doing and take a few days to step outside of that.

So, in essence, I want to break to act as a brake. I want to stop, stop doing whatever it is I have been doing normally (i.e school work and actual work).

And, I feel like the words in and of themselves are fairly self-explanatory however, do you notice the progression of the words themselves?
In order to relax, I must first breathe, and breathe deep. When was the last time you stopped and took a deep breath inward, held it for a second, then released? And not with the motivation of a sigh or frustration but a simple wanting to stop and relax?
So, once we've stopped and breathed, then relaxed, we should accept that which is put in front of us. "What exactly is it that we're accepting?" you may ask. Well, whatever blessing that happens to be placed in our path, whether it is an opportunity to go to Chicago, or simply the opportunity to read a favorite book. You have freedom in this option. Pick something and accept it's goodness.
And how often do we attempt to reject a blessing? Honestly, out of some self-righteous humbleness that won't allow anyone to do anything nice for you, how many times, when someone has wanted to pay for our meal, or give us a ride, or give us a gift, do we reply "Oh, you don't have to, but thank you anyway." or "No, it's okay, I can pay for my own meal" or any other plethora of excuses. We are still denying the blessing which someone wants to give us.
So keep it! Keep whatever blessing we may find, whether it is the time to read a book, or an opportunity to see loved ones. Please do not rob someone the opportunity to bless you. If they want to, please truly humble yourself and allow yourself to be served.
And then enjoy it! Why do we feel guilty when given a gift, like we don't deserve it? What exactly do you think you'll need to do in order to deserve someone paying for your gift? (now, as a side note, there is a difference here between simple gifts, and rewards. Yes, you should not accept praise or rewards for a deed in which you clearly had no part in. That is deceit.) However, when a loved friend wants to bless you with someone purely out of the fact that they are able, once you have accepted and kept it, allow yourself to enjoy it. What other purpose is there to a gift than to enjoy it? It's pointless if you don't enjoy that which has been given to you.
So, here's to hoping my break can be a brake.