I’ve Given Myself a Gift – A trip to Iceland

I have always been one who loves to travel and explore new cultures and countries, and yet, managing all the excitement and stress – especially the stress – often took away from fully embracing and enjoying the experience.

I’d also go with so many unvoiced expectations and wanting it to be perfect. This would leave me coming home with a less than glowing report. I let the stress and worry take the wheel when in fact, love and joy needed to be driving.

Don’t get me wrong, I’d still have a great time, I’d just come home with a small cloud of disappointment over it all.

It wasn’t until the winter of 2015 when we booked a 3 week family vacation to South Africa. The thought of it felt like a great opportunity, and yet, how was I going to manage all the stress and my 5 kids through security checkpoints, luggage, transfers, and time changes?

Then it struck me – see it all as a gift – one that you get to unwrap and embrace every single day. And that’s what I did. From the planning and booking of hotels, rentals properties, tours, flights, and excursions.

Once we were at the airport, I leaned back, took a deep breath and said, “Maria, this is your gift, time to be present, let go and enjoy the process of unwrapping each day so that you can see the treasure.”

This in and of itself was a huge gift to myself and it turned out to be an amazing trip. So many memories, so much wonder, and so much gratitude.

And so, today, as I get ready to embark on another trip, a trip just for me (accompanied by 2 wonderful travel buddies), one I haven’t done in a very long time, I sit in the reminder that all of this is part of the gift.

Even the fiasco with my passport – which landed up being a personalized “ribbon” created just for me. Yes, it was stressful and not what I had anticipated, and yet, I reminded myself, “Maria, the tape on this gift is a little stickier than normal and the wrapping paper 4 ply rather than 1 ply, and that’s okay. There is treasure waiting inside that you will embrace and enjoy for years to come. Time to let go, breathe, and let the gift unfold.”

And so, I bid you all bon voyage and I look forward to sharing the experience of this gift when I return.