My family has planned a road trip to Banff National Park in Canada for several months. We left last Sunday after church for Sandpoint, and made our way up to the Lake Louise area on Monday.

Before we left, a friend said to me, “Oh, it must be nice to have a vacation.” I replied, “I’m not sure exactly what a vacation is, but it will be nice to spend long periods of devoted time with my wife and teenagers!”

My family is incredibly understanding of the work I do in praying for others and helping them spiritually. They give me time in the early morning and periodically throughout the day to step aside and answer calls from people in need and keep up with my practice. I know some practitioners will turn off their phone and stop answering emails for several days, or even weeks, in order to get away from their daily routine. And I can see why they do. We all need our “wilderness” time, like Jesus spent in solitude, quietly communing with God and recharging the spiritual batteries, one might say.

I find that I can recharge my spiritual batteries very fast though, generally, in a few hours if necessary. So, for me, getting away from the office is for the purpose of spending more time with my family, which is what we’re doing right now. And I seek a balance on these trips that blesses all.

I find great strength in helping others, which for me, is done most effectively through my healing practice. If I stay on top of things metaphysically, I’m much more fun to be around! And that makes for a happier vacation. So, my wife and I have worked out a mutual kind of understanding that allows me to keep my practice going, but also allows me consecrated time with her and the kids.

I like to think of my whole life as a vacation from mortal mind.

I know from experience that when I pray for someone, I stay strong and well myself. If I get self-absorbed in an activity that is only for me, I can quickly go downhill in spirit, energy, and joy. This is one reason I write these blogs. A tremendous amount of spiritual energy and strength comes to me when I share inspiration with others. It’s an amazing thing to experience. I’m sure many of you can attest to the same.

A self-absorbed life is like a death-spiral into a dark pit. A spiritually outward and expressive life is a path upward that brings heavenly and lasting joy.

So, we’re having a grand time up here in Banff this week. My practice goes on, but the family is growing stronger than ever as we travel together, hike together, talk together, pray together, plan together and stay together. God is good, and there’s plenty of that goodness to go around for everyone.

Here’s a couple of pictures…

Looking down on Banff and nearby scenery

Evan and Kathy at Lake Louise