Attorney Spotlight Part 10: Kathleen Rodberg

From time to time this newsfeed will include a closer look at our attorneys. The posts will be on topics not necessarily about the law, but about what is personally important to our attorneys outside the office. This is the tenth installment of our attorney spotlight as we feature a personal story from Attorney Kathleen Rodberg. Kathleen practices in our trusts, estates, and elder law practice group. Click here to see her bio. 

“Always keep your mind as bright and clear as the vast sky, the great ocean, and the highest peak, empty of all thoughts. Always keep your body filled with light and heat. Fill yourself with the power of wisdom and enlightenment.”

–Morihei Ueshiba–

I love cruises.

This view can be very polarizing, I know.  Of the many ways to vacation—whether it be by plane, train, or automobile—cruising may be the most divisive.  Some people love it, while others hate it.  However, having just returned from an unforgettable Alaskan cruise, let me explain a bit about why I love cruising so much.

Stepping away from work and life to take a vacation can be difficult.  There is always an unfinished home project, a client in need of assistance, or a deadline looming.  However, taking time to relax and refuel is essential.  Cruising allows me to do exactly that.

Articles about the benefits of cruising tout the on-board amenities, visiting many locations on a single trip, or the (almost) all-inclusive price.  However, the key feature these articles miss is the ability to “check out.”  Recently the New York Times published an article that touches on this exact point, noting that cruises are “meant to buff life’s unpleasant edges into sea glass.”

I took my first cruise in 2008 to the Caribbean on the advice of a friend and immediately noticed how quickly I relaxed.  The ship did have clocks, but they were sparing and somewhat “hidden,” meaning that you only knew the time if you wanted to know.  Cell phones work on a cruise ship, but service can be pricey, so I had 10 days without a cell phone.  There was no traffic to battle, no groceries to buy, and no deadline for work.  I could do everything I wanted on my own time.  I even started to lose track of the days.  Since then I have returned to the Caribbean several times and most recently cruised in Alaska.

These benefits say nothing of the scenery.  There is something absolutely amazing and humbling about being in the middle of a vast ocean and feeling so small on what would otherwise be considered a large ship.  The views along the way, including sunrises and sunsets at sea, only serve as an even greater setting to relax.

While cruising may not be for everyone, the point is not to vacation in this particular manner..but rather to find your personal equivalent to relax and refuel.  Whether it is taking a trip to an exotic place, or going on a hike near your home, find some time for yourself—you’ve earned it!