Hi Dear Friends Today I've realised that I have changed intentions. I have many times as we all do, but travel is on many of my family and friends minds lately and they want me to do the same, bless them.
I had intended to travel around this time of my life, I thought that right up until an hour ago, but I don't think I want to now.
My family have been traveling and are having a great time, visiting all the old ruins of Europe soon to go to Paris - you know the trip of a lifetime that people seem to do several times in a lifetime these days.
Hasn't the world become accessible now? Even if you don't travel you can see through the eyes of family and friends who go on Facebook and the internet: Photos can be downloaded overnight and you wake up to a new adventure each day.
You can go to the other side of the Earth within 24 hours, that still amazes me. My dad is amazed that his grandkids can call him from the other side of the world and he can hear them so clearly! I wonder what my grandkids will laugh at about me one day? A funny thought.
Anyway, I have had so many opportunities to go off to far away places lately but just haven't felt inclined.
People say you must, you can, and that is so true, I am a capable person (so I've told myself).
But still - here I Am.
So what is it that 'holds me back' here in Oz I ask myself.
Well the answer is, those travel intentions were the dreams of a young mother who had dreamt of traveling as a teenager (but the impending battle to the death with my father just wasn't ever going to be a fitting send off). We went on day trips, or camped wherever the surf was pumping - great memories stored in the heart. I have never felt held back in any way!
I never wanted to go on big trips with kids, I felt home was stable and anyway my young family was not flash with cash. As I got older I wanted to have the big romantic trips with the one I loved. We made it to China (not a romantic place), but oh Singapore we loved that one! I always thought there'd be more time together to do Europe, but that's another story. They were the dreams of the woman to travel with her man.
Today a friend showed me photos of his recent trip to Bath where he met up with my sister. They were joyous photos and so lovely to see and he glowed as he showed them to me: I could feel the joy, and in that moment I could understand something about myself that had me confused for a year or so.
The travel plans of the teenager were not realised, yet something bigger was and my years as a young mother were filled with joy and laughter. The travel plans of the woman were not realised, but something bigger was - a shared healing journey of the heart of soul was undertaken and they were filled with ups and downs and wonderful turnarounds spread over many great years.
Ah what joyful family memories and I can see now, that I have already traveled many paths and would not change a single step for quids - I have traveled!
For me to travel the Earth I will need to re-imagine the story, not the one of my youth, nor the one of my middle age. No this time I will find the travel of my third age.
I find I Am growing and becoming, we never stop do we? I Am becoming a person without label - I love that! I Am able to be just me without the title of mum, grandma, wife. I Am me and happily learning to live with it - I Am happy with that.
I am unlabeled - A generic 'brand' woman (but definitely not home brand).
I have without consciously realising it, changed my intentions. I will travel but not just now.
I will manifest a wonderful journey and it is within me waiting to sprout and burst into action.
Imagination is todays destination
Imagination is the destination: Imagine it first, dream of it second, then make it happen, (or step back and watch it happen more likely). Action without imagination is meaningless and useless, so here I Am just imagining the possibility of it all. And for now, that is enough.
But in the meantime, I anticipate joyful contemplation, I Am grateful for the push to the changing of my intentions and wish the same for all fellow travelers. You can't just go off without imagining first, can you?
Till we chat again dear friends, Happy Journeying