Browsing Tag

Self

Appreciating what you have

July 2, 2010

With less than a week to go before Deborah and I launch this wild adventure, I’m already starting to get a little homesick.

Of course I’m looking forward to traveling. Of course.

But I think some freaky woo-woo stuff must be going on, because I swear home has never looked so good. Lately on my morning walks, I just have to stand still for a few seconds to soak in all the goodness.

These things I’ve taken for granted, now they all seem to be hitting me at once. The desert has never looked so stunning.

My adorable little Lemon has never been so sweet and cuddly.

My husband has never been this handsome or fun or downright amazing.

My apartment has never seemed so appealing.

My friends have never been this witty or entertaining, and I have never loved them so fiercely.

And Kung Pao Kitten … well, you know. He’s kind of manic depressive. But I love him anyway.

Even the most mundane things are starting to seem exciting and wonderful, since I’m going to mostly do without for the next year. Like toilets — how great are those things? You can flush ’em and everything! And there’s even toilet paper on the wall right there!

And hot showers. Man, those are awesome.

I’m beginning to realize that while travel is about seeing new sights, learning about new cultures and making connections with new people, it’s also about appreciating what you already have.

Funny how a trip around the world helps you discover the richness of home.

 

Go ahead and jump

May 12, 2010

 

As this round-the-world trip grows closer and my to-do list gets longer, I’m starting to get paralyzed with fear.

It reminds me of the way I used to feel before skydiving.

See, skydiving and I had a mad and passionate love affair that lasted several years. I spent every weekend skydiving. I subscribed to skydiving magazines, I posted on skydiving websites, I watched skydiving videos. I lived, breathed, slept and ate skydiving.

Heck, I even married my skydiving instructor.

Still my heart trembled every time I faced the airplane’s open door.

As much as I loved skydiving, I also knew the risks involved. I understood how easily something could go wrong. I didn’t fully trust myself, my gear or the people around me.

To get over that trepidation, I used visualization techniques. I practiced taking long, calming breaths. I played mental games with myself, pretending I was Angelina Jolie’s stunt double filming a new “Tomb Raider” movie.

I knew if I just got out that door, somehow everything would be OK.

Hundreds of times I made that terrifying leap over and over again. And I almost always landed solidly on my feet.

This trip reminds me of that. Lately I start to panic when I think about things like vaccines, next year’s taxes and how I’m going to fit a year’s worth of contact solution inside my tiny backpack.

I am so scared about being stranded at a bus stop in rural Botswana or getting attacked by rabid monkeys in Malaysia.

I’m worried I’ll fail.

Once again, I am at that airplane door, trembling with fright. And despite my fears, I think I’m just going to have to close my eyes, summon Angelina Jolie and make my big leap.