Tuesday, January 24, 2017

The Art of Adaptation

After four months traveling in Europe, we arrived back in the Pacific Northwest on January 12. We are here to recover from the colds we had recently, take care of a few appointments, enjoy seeing friends and family, and prepare to changeover to spring traveling in the United States desert Southwest. Since we no longer have a house to come back to, normally we would continue to use Airbnb as we do when traveling about, but this time we are staying at a friend’s condo while they are out of town.

Traveling as we do, and not as if we are on vacation, allows us to experience traveling more intimately. We visit communities, not just destinations, and become temporary locals. With all the change, one learns the art of adaptation. Every time we move into a new place it’s not about just seeing the sights and eating good food. We do not consider ourselves on vacation, and must figure out where things are in our neighborhood and in the home(s) we live in. That’s something you probably hadn’t considered, but with each home we encounter different internet connections, beds and pillows, appliances, toilets, showers, light switches, kitchen setups, and more. Sometimes, when we first move in, I find myself simply standing in one spot trying to remember which direction to go for what! But oddly enough, when setting up in our temporary homes, we have fallen into a routine, of sorts. There’s usually a period of adjustment, but it doesn’t take us long to settle in and adapt.

You might be wondering if we miss having a home to come back to? The answer to that would be - absolutely, not! While that may be surprising to you, it’s not to us at all. We were more than ready to downsize stuff and the lives we had established; and quite frankly, it’s a relief to have that behind us. We may not know where our beds are going to be down the road, but that’s okay with us. And you should also know, we get antsy after a time depending where we are and what we are doing. In other words, we’re ready to leave and move on down the road when the time comes.

We’ve been asked if not knowing so many things about our daily lives, and traveling to so many places, is scary in any way? Again, absolutely, not! There's a certain sense of freedom in the lives we are living now, and we wouldn’t put ourselves in harm’s way, but if something happens, then we will deal with it. We travel with a heightened awareness, but not with fear. Fear would not work with this lifestyle. What we are experiencing with all this adapting is unlike most people will ever know. We love getting to know communities and the people, and the sights come as a bonus for us. We are grateful for this new lifestyle and the experiences. We are embracing adaptation and all that it may have to offer.


Michelle
Swiss smile photo courtesy of DaMClarks

Sunday, January 1, 2017

The Year of More

I want more this year. I would like to be more centered, more focused, more random, more giving. I would like to listen more, laugh more, and love more. I want more of what life has to offer. Forget resolutions that make you feel less when you don’t hold up your end of the bargain, and join me in choosing a word or theme for the year. It’s something I’ve been doing for a while now, and I find it empowering because it gives me the opportunity each day to activate and infuse my word into the day.

2016 heralded in the theme of change – extreme change! Having sold our home and are currently living out of a few suitcases, the word change reminds me to roll with the flow and be more patient and flexible. At times, change has been a challenge for me. But I will continue to embrace it and learn from it as I move on to more in 2017.

So, go ahead, forget the resolutions and choose an empowering word with me. Place the word in your mind as you wake each morning and as you drift to sleep each night. You’ll find you will be reminded throughout the day of your word – I love it when that happens! You are in charge and can be more along with me.

Welcome to my year of more!

Michelle
More photo courtesy of Thomas Hawk