Tag: family

Categories
Living

Take the Winding Road

Armenistis Lighthouse, Mykonos

Many times, when driving around, we take the highway instead of the scenic route, the winding road. Why? In a hurry to get to our destination, we chose the fastest way. Little thought is given to the alternative routes that can make our journey more pleasant. Never mind that the chosen route keeps us tense and causes stress, getting there fast is the only consideration.

Same thing in life, why do we take the most direct way, instead of exploring others. We tend to rush decisions, give opinions before we hear the whole story, get mad at the slightest disagreement and offer advice without being asked. Everyone does it and don’t even take notice of how this affects others or ourselves. The only thing we gain, I think, is confrontation and aggravation.

Time is passing, life is short. Concentrating on our friends and family, making sure our relationships are happy and our friendships are healthy is the sure way to meander through these years. For sure, I am trying harder. I have come to appreciate the winding road, the way to get anywhere physically or emotionally without rushing, stressing or arguing. It has been a discovery I wish I had made years ago.

Categories
Challenges

You are in Control

Yes, you are. It is finally absolutely clear to us that we know what we want, know how to get it and are in control of our lives. That is to say, as much as we can control anything. Of course, some of us have always known what we wanted and were able to have some control on things affecting our lives. If you are one of them, you are indeed lucky!!!

For the rest of us, this is a great thing. This is the time we are making decisions that will affect the rest of our lives. This is the time we must be sure of what we are going to do with those years still ahead of us. Life happens, that is true, but a measure of control over our decisions goes a long way to ensure our peace of mind as we move ahead.

Well meaning family members and friends will offer solutions, they will be sure we need their input and it is reassuring that they care and want to help……but the final saying is ours and that is as it should be. We must remember and we must tell them: we are in control, we know how we want to live our lives.

So take your time, make your plans, enjoy the ride that is still there for us. Have the answers you need and do not let anyone push you into something you are not ready for or willing to try. Life is good and if we are in control, we are free to enjoy it!!!

Categories
Living

Traveling….

Be open to the world and all it can bring to your life. Nourish the desire to see other places and be willing to learn from what you see and experience. Traveling doesn’t have to be a luxury, a dream. Few of us are lucky enough to visit every place we ever wanted to see. Consequently, most of us wander as far as we can and enjoy what we find there.

A good start is get to know your city. In today’s world you can find so many different influences in a small place. Explore, taste, visit the different neighborhoods. There are museums and restaurants and parks to visit. Take a guided tour, see it with the eyes of a visitor. Learn how others see it and fall in love with it once more.

Travel as far as you can go and make memories. That is why one of my favorite places to visit is where my family lives. Wherever that may be at this moment in time. It was not always like that, but it is now. Where else can I feel so relaxed and complete? I now look at these trips as an important part of my well-being.

Nowadays, when I can travel father, I consider myself lucky. I choose my destination not because everyone goes or is the place to go this year or everyone I know has gone, I choose it because I truly want to see what it is like. I want to experience the place, not add another check to my travel list. Traveling is so much more than that.

So we go to celebrate important dates in our loved ones lives, we plan family trips and the least of our concerns is where we are going, but who we are going with. Always choosing a place where we can spend time playing, talking, having long sit-down meals and walking at sunset. Traveling has become a time to share, to spend lazy days without rushing. It’s not longer a time to go see, rush to the next destination and take photos to post on social media. I enjoy traveling now, more than ever!!!