Our Blog: where do you stand?

What Two Months Can Give You

By: Kristin Gumper | 08/22/2011

This summer, I was fortunate enough to leave my Standing family for two months (with pay!) No, I wasn't sick. And no, I wasn't with child. How? Through a benefit that few companies have, especially in today's rollercoaster economy...

Standing's sabbatical program:

After seven years of service, Standing offers team members a two-month sabbatical. We consider it an opportunity to recharge, relax and do all the things we'd like to do, but just never have the time. Some write books, some retrace their family heritage. Others travel.

When it came right down to it, I chose to spend my sabbatical doing things that I don't normally take time to do... like lounging on the couch and reading a book for as many hours as I wanted. I devoured the Stieg Larsson novels (thanks, Jessi), Half Broke Horses, The Art of Racing in the Rain (which I highly recommend), a Charlaine Harris Novel (many of us at Standing love True Blood), and Scarpetta (part of the Patricia Cornwell series that I've read for more than 10 years).

I also spent lazy days with family and friends. I threw a family BBQ on a random Wednesday night - just because I could - and, the fam' was in from out of town. I also threw my best friend's 30^th birthday party.

Those of you who know me well also know I love to ride horses, and that I did! I restored my grandmother's saddle, which was hand-made by my grandfather 50-some years ago. I also took my first spill off a cutting horse named Chile, and nonetheless, explored miles upon miles of beautiful Missouri countryside on horseback.

I also traveled, because I wanted to spend the time doing new things...versus flittering my day away cleaning my house. (Ladies, why can't we feel okay just relaxing at home? Every day I was home, I had to do something -- from organizing my shoe closet to cleaning out the basement. My house is the cleanest it has been in years!)

With my grandmother, great aunt, mother and sister, we road-tripped to Georgia to visit my aunt and her family. Then I went to Scottsdale to view the amazing artwork, hike Sedona, swim Lake Pleasant and walk the streets, drinking in the local culture.

To cap it all off, my last week was spent recharging my batteries in Rivera Maya. Ahh, Mexico. There's nothing like being greeted for lunch with Mimosas and a Ticket to Fly (a Mexican twist on a strawberry daiquiri...you guessed it, the prime ingredient is Tequila).

Through it all, one thing remained consistent:  the constant reminder that life is precious. Life should be enjoyed - no matter what you're doing and who you're with. It's up to you to make it what you want.

Maybe it was the tequila, or that salty horse that I connected with, but I returned to work in July rejuvenated. I'm now better able to take everything that comes my way with a grain of salt. I also realize that it's a blessed thing to have my health, a roof over my head and the good company of great family, friends and coworkers by my side.

I'm also very blessed to have a fulfilling career, and be employed by a company that allows its employees two solid months to savor it all.

Thank you, Standing, for making that possible! 

Posted in Culture