Hold On

One of the hardest things in life is realizing that you are holding onto the idea of something or someone, rather than the actual thing or person. In the end, (for me at least), it boils down to comfort. We all seek comfort, but the downside of getting comfortable is sometimes you are blinded from seeing the reality of a situation. And only the STRONGEST can deal with that reality.


We have all worn our rose-colored glasses. And while it is hard to remove those pretty little jaded things, at some point, you have to take them off and see things at face-value. We need to recognize the difference in our life situations from being productive and moving forward to just  being comfortable. It is one of the hardest things a person can ever do, but it is an absolute necessity.

Comfort zones can be a funny thing. For most of my life, my parents pushed me out of my comfort zone. I in-turn have tried to push my son out of his comfort zone. He and I have different personalities- sort of- so it does not always work. But sometimes, he takes the leap and goes for it, and sometimes he tells me to chill out. At least we are having the conversation. But comfort is important to ALL human beings. So to be in that zone is seemingly a good thing...to a point.

I remember one of my old bosses telling me that change is good thing, and that it is hard but necessary. I kind of took that on as a motto for life. I have lost jobs, friends, lovers...and I accepted the change. It was hard, but in the end it was necessary fo rme to evolve. 

I don't have super words to solve whatever is happnening...I still am dealing with my day-to-day. But I am blessed in that I have family and friends who are surrounding me. That is amazing. And that is something to be beyond grateful for.

I was kicked out of my comfort zone about 7 months ago. I breathed deeply, hard, and with many tears in between. I slept, I drank, and I prayed. I am okay. I am getting better every day. But my point is, don't fall into a comfort zone. Rather, create your place. And if people fall into and out of, then they are welcomed and farewelled. Do not be that person that does not accept change, it is ineveitable. Embrace it and smile.

Wanderlust

My son and I are venturing to Cuba for his spring break this year. While I have encountered many raised eyebrows and "Are you sure that is a good idea?" remarks, for the most part, the response has been positive and even a few provided feedback from their own experience. I am so excited.

I feel very blessed to be able to provide Will with a peek into a culture that is seemingly "stuck" in a time warp. I belive we will have an amazing advenutre and it will be another opporutnity to impress upon him just how blessed we are in our lives, and in our country. We will spend three days in Trinidad and three days in Havana. Can you say history lesson?

Will has had ample opporutnity to travel since a very young age, trekking to New Orleans, Chicago, Dallas, Hawaii, and then eventurally New York City, Washington D.C., and Seattle. Let's not disregard the fact that he has lived in three states with beautiful attributes. I lived in one until age 20. He is blessed. We both are.

Our bucket list for travel includes the Grand Canyon (preferably by train), upstate New York to Maine, and then onto international adventures including an England-Ireland-France adventure. Let's not forget the ever-popular Italy trip, but I have three different ones in mind. A little further down is Iceland, then Austria-Germany (maybe Belgium), I am obsessed with Russia & China, and then it goes on after those in no particular order.

There is so much to experience! I hope to check off as many with him as I can until he decides traveling with mom is not cool. (*Although I have a feeling he will always be up for free sightseeing!)

Waiting in line for the Phantom of the Opera in NYC...what else do you do

The travel bug definitely landed in our home a while back, and we desire to do and see as much as we can, as often as possible. There are so many remarkable sights and such rich history in our own country, I cannot wait check them off one-by-one! Yet to travel abroad is so enlightening, peeking into the culture of other countries is humbling and inspiring.

Will & I at the Washington Nationals Game, D.C. 

Will hanging at Pike Place in Seattle.

Go Cubs Go! 

We will never forget- 9/11 Museum- no words. 

My advice to my friends and family...travel as much and as far as you can, while you can. If you don't have the finanical means, find the beauty in a road trip or even a day trip within your reach. Or just save a bit at a time to experience a little more, a little bit longer of an adventure. It is so worth it, not just for the memories, but for the character, respect, and knowledge you build along the way.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”― Mark Twain