“The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness” ~ Dalai Lama
As a Travel Consult and an avid traveler who lives, eats and breathes in order to see every edge of our earth, I feel as though I have been exploring our beautiful world at a 100 miles an hour for 44 years with a delightful freedom, and suddenly stopped in my tracks overlooking an enormous cliff.
Life pace has gone from busy, project-oriented, organized chaos, to an eerie silence. In fact, life became so that I can finally hear my own thoughts, so I thought now was a perfect time to write.
Stopped on the edge of the cliff I have chosen to listen, smile, breathe, and thank.
A reason, a lesson.
In the heart of this current COVID19 situation, I consistently remind myself that everything happens for a reason. My heart melts for the many lives that have been lost, the health workers who are bending over backwards, and stressful financial times for many, including small business owners like myself. However, out of this there will be many lessons learned, and for that I am grateful.
Our planet, that we often take for granted, finally has the opportunity to breathe, and we have the opportunity to reflect on what we truly need. We are all stopped in our tracks, humbled by an invisible virus while we wait patiently for clear direction and certainty.
With a degree in molecular biology and past research in an immunotherapy lab I am fortunate to be able to understand this virus more than the average person. I truly trust our phenomenal scientists who are working relentlessly together to find a solution, and many lessons learned and knowledge gained for future pandemics.
In the long run we will all be stronger from this.
Not Alone.
Life as we know it is entirely different today than it was 1 week ago, 1 month ago, and even more so 3 months ago. We are all similarly deeply craving a sense of normalcy.
My husband during his deep sleep the other night rolled over mumbled “NORMAL” ….true story.
This is what I am grateful for most, is that none of us are truly alone. Many of you are dealing with your own organized chaos whether you are homeschooling your children, keeping them occupied and educated, while also learning how to effectively work from home. You, me, and your family, we are not alone. Even if you are alone, at home, you are not alone. In fact, we are all more united than ever.
Connected and grateful.
I have been completely overwhelmed by the kinship of the world right now. This is the first time I can ever remember, feeling so completely united world-wide, even though we are forced apart.
My husband and I go for walks, and almost every person we see smile and say hi or wave from across the street as we keep our social distance, this is a rarity in our current neighbourhood in the busy outskirts of Toronto. My neighbour that never even flinched an eyelash, waved at me the other day, when I took out the garbage. Signs on front lawns and porches spreading love give me goosebumps. What an absolutely beautiful thing! It is unfortunate that it took a virus for us to get us here, I wish I could bottle this feeling of connectedness, and I sincerely hope kinship lasts.
Future Travel?
If you are an avid traveler like myself, our proud desire to explore our beautiful world has not changed. We may feel slightly guilty for craving that privilege right now, but is perfectly acceptable to dream about our next adventure, while we stay safely tucked-in at home in the mean-time. Now is the perfect time to create a beautiful bucket list for a time when it is safe to travel again. When we do have the ability to safely travel, just imagine how much more grateful we for the good times to be had!
The travel industry is an immensely robust industry currently experiencing a huge hit in the short term, but we will recover in due time. It would be lie to say that being a travel agent today is passion for travel remains pure and unscarred.
Though the timeline is unknown, a time will come that we plan, with certainty, our next, well-deserved vacation, and I will be here foster that every bit of the way. I look forward to seeing the productive changes in the travel industry ahead to adapt to the significant demands of the world. I do have the inside scoop and know that they are working around the clock to ensure personal health and safety even more so in the future, I will supply that once it is officially given to us.
One thing I can say with absolute certainty, is that when it is deemed safe to travel again, using a travel agent is definitely a good idea…wink, wink, nudge, nudge!!
My message.
My message is simple: it is a big, warm, virtual hug. We will get through this…apart…together. In the mean time, remain humble, stay fearless, keep faith, keep dreaming and go with the flow. Stay home, stay safe, stay happy, stay healthy!
Here is how I have keeping mentally and physically healthy:
Podcasts
- The Mindset Mentor. I absolutely love Rob Dial I have been listening to him for the past year and have gained a great deal of insight on so many aspects of life, this specific episode is quick and a great perspective on today, but he has a variety of longer ones that dive deep into personal growth.
- The Amature Traveler, Though it is somewhat painful to listen right now as it makes me crave traveling even more, he has such fantastic content and hundreds of episodes to chose from to help create my ever-growing travel bucket list.
Indoor Workouts
Similar to keeping active on the road, while we are in self isolation at home we are remaining active.
1) I have been doing Peloton classes (I simply do peloton digital, and do not own a Peloton bike I pay $12/month for a huge array of online classes and use my own indoor bike). I personally LOVE Matt Wilpers Power Zone classes cycling classes, he is honestly the jolliest instructor I have ever come across.
2) Beach Body on Demand is also another online streaming network. In the past I have done 80 day obsession and it challenging and fun. My coach is Nancy Neufeld, she is very inspiring!
3) A good friend, and past National rowing teammate is owner and founder of a phenomenal indoor rowing studio, SCULLHOUSE in Toronto. If you happen to own a rowing ergometer she has just started doing live online streaming classes, she has also streamed some challenging body weight workouts also. Follow her on Instagram or contact her through her website, for more information.
TV Shows
Okay, I have to admit the truth, I rarely watch TV. Usually, by the time I hit the couch at night I fall asleep. Tough times call for tough measures, we have guiltily indulged in Sundance Now series called Riviera, it is a mystery crime delight! I have made it through 12 episodes in two days!
Here is a great article about some online entertainment sources.
Wine…
Always a good idea!
Keep in touch, XO
