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MARVIN: Get on your bus and go back to New York. Every time a problem comes up, follow this prescription.

BOB: (holds up his bag) I don’t need pills. I have plenty of pills.

Marvin tears off a prescription sheet and hands it to bob.

MARVIN: It’s not pills. Read it.

BOB: (taking it) It says: “A vacation from my problems.”

MARVIN: I’m giving you permission to take a vacation, Bob. Not a vacation from your work. Not a vacation from your daily life. But a vacation from…

BOB: My problems.

MARVIN: Every time you feel a problem coming on, take that out and follow it to the letter. Doctors orders.

(Scene from What About Bob? (1991) starring Richard Dreyfus as Psychiatrist Dr. Leo Marvin, and Bill Murray as the world’s worst patient, Bob Wiley)

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OK folks, don’t forget on Monday, August 6^th, the next What I Learned From… group writing project kicks off right here at the Middle Zone. I promised earlier in the week I’d give you the topic today (in case you couldn’t figure out the hint on Wednesday), so here it is (sound of drum roll):

Vacation

In honor of the fact that we’re at the end of the summer vacation season, this month I want to hear about something you learned from (or while) on vacation. And don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be a summer vacation – I mean, there are three other perfectly good seasons to take vacations in, you know.

Bear in mind, the word “vacation” doesn’t have to mean load up the car, grab the kids and the dog, and get Aunt Harriet to water the plants, either; check out the dialog between Bob Wiley and Dr. Leo above. No, “taking a vacation” doesn’t have to mean a trip to the Far East, Europe, or Dime Box, Texas, either. Nope, it’s what’cha might call your general topic; how you want to interpret it is up to you.

For instance, I know some people who will tell me they’ve never had a vacation. OK, fine. But my question back to them would be: Have you ever taken some time off for a bit of R&R? Have you ever just stopped everything, curled up with your favorite book and a cup of coffee? Ever had any “me” time where it was just you and you alone for a while?

Well, you’re in luck, my friends, because as far as I’m concerned, that qualifies as a vacation, too! So put on your thinking caps and get out your pencils, folks, ‘cause starting Monday morning, we’re open for entries!

Have a great weekend!

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