now

lightning strikes the sea

by Oliver

Yesterday, a good friend gave me one of the biggest compliments I've ever received. She said she was inspired to take better care of herself by the way that I've been consciously choosing to care for and nurture myself in the last year. This is true, I have started to do pretty much whatever I want to do, no holds barred. It has not been the easiest year for my very generous and understanding husband and kids, and honestly, it has not been the easiest for me either. Luckily what I "want" to do often includes laundry and cooking, driving kids to most of their activities, preparing taxes, and giving big hugs (always).


It's 2010. Many of us are arriving at this point in life --a certain age or simply a startling moment where we go, "Whoa, wait a minute!" The time for now or never has arrived. We realize it's time to get priorities in order, time to push past our nasty old demons, time to start having the fun we are meant to have. So what do we do now? The choices are different for everyone, maybe we quit smoking, quit griping, start walking, try a new sport, travel and explore, take an art class, learn to meditate, enjoy healthy food, forgive everyone, learn to be present, get outside, listen more. Whatever it is that our hearts call us to do, this is as good a day as any to begin.

go for it

This summer, we are taking off to see the wide world. After dreaming about traveling with the kids for years, we are now ready to go. I am so very excited, Wheee! Yippee! We leave home in June, and will return at the end of September. Our first stop is Europe, mainly the Netherlands and France. I am most looking forward to being together with the family, just enjoying one another and learning together about other ways of life, finding new friends and adventures along the way. 


"How is this possible?", the bystander might ask. Here are the what's and why's. 


The Wonder of Technology - Working Remotely
Many years ago, David chose to follow his joy and began a career in IT, which he loves 100%. Because he enjoys his work so much, he has gotten very good at it, and because he's very good at it, he has found clients who appreciate his services and his integrity, and therefore are glad to support his request to work remotely, so that he can really work from anywhere in the world, while continuing to give the very best quality service. Our only requirement is high-speed internet. Three cheers for David and three more for technology.


Connecting with Like-Minded Travelers
If you like to have guests and don't worry too much about little things, I would highly recommend looking into house swapping the next time you want to travel. There are several house-swapping websites online, my favorite so far is homeforexchange.com. Here you will find a friendly community of people who are willing to exchange houses with you for a few weeks so that each of you can enjoy a vacation in the place of your choice with a nice, comfy place to stay, and no hotel fees. This is really my favorite part of the whole thing. The many, many hours I have spent in front of the screen, searching for and communicating with potential home-swapping families, have really paid off.


The folks I have encountered so far have been wonderful to communicate with, even rejection is fun and friendly here. In e-mailing back and forth to arrange exchanges, I already feel like I have several new friends from around the world. Another benefit is that we are having a lot of fun getting our own home ship-shape so that it will be a peaceful, enjoyable place of rest for those staying here. Several of the people I'm working with have already done many successful exchanges, and the reports are overwhelmingly positive.


Making Friends Wherever You Go
We met a very kind retired couple from India this summer. Our families became fast friends and we ended up co-hosting weekend meditation retreats together with them at our home in August. We all had such fun together, they have invited us to stay with them at their home in Mumbai. Well, who can refuse a generous offer like that! So for the month of September, we will be staying with Dinesh and Kushi, as they shepherd us around their country. This is truly a fantasy come true for me, as I have been dreaming of going to India since my first taste of Palak Paneer many years ago.


Dream On
As this process unfolds, I am truly amazed at the abundance of fun in the universe. It appears that when you really desire to do something that makes you happy, you can absolutely find a way. Thinking outside the box helps. Perhaps our journey will inspire you to do something you've long been dreaming of. This life is pretty short, let's enjoy every minute. 


Please do leave comments here. Share your own dreams, those that have come true and those you hold in your heart. Writing them down makes them even more real!