For whatever reason, some people spend their life dreaming about places they would love to visit but never do, while others find ways to fulfill their dreams no matter the cost or sacrifice.
Obviously there are places some of us would love to experience but just can’t afford, be it time, money, or circumstance. As a contributing writer for Living Magazine, I have the opportunity throughout the year to share with you some of my travels. I am amazed at the number of readers that tell me they live vicariously through my articles and wish they could go to the places I write about. My reply is always the same, “What are you waiting for?” There is so much to see and learn around the world, and so many destinations to experience.
“I’m not big on making New Year resolutions but I would like to encourage you not to dream away your future. Set a goal and do it.”
My father always said he didn’t want to travel overseas until he had seen all of the United States. Although he lived an amazing life as a professional football player and President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he died at age 65 before he could accomplish his travel goals. My brother in-law was a financial analyst and put off coming on family trips in order to save money. At 39 years old he was diagnosed with brain cancer and died two years later. In his final months he apologized to his wife for not taking those trips when he could.
A great example of seizing the day was my dear friend, and long time Ellis county resident, Beverly Worthington. After raising a family, and being a caregiver to her husband for years, she decided to start doing some things that earlier in her life she might have thought twice about.
“At age 70 she went hang gliding in Brazil, did a canopy zip line tour in Costa Rica, climbed Machu Picchu in Peru, trekked with me in the underground world of Cappadocia, and sailed along the Adriatic coastline. She even climbed the Great Wall of China, twice.”
Beverly died at age 78 after complications with heart surgery, but not before she lived life with all the gusto she could.
So often we get caught up in the details of day to day living that we don’t take the time to seize an opportunity. We’ve got deadlines and commitments, problems and priorities, distractions and obstacles, and though we really want more fulfillment in our lives, we don’t often take the time we need to rest, relax, and recharge. I challenge you this year to plan a trip, save the money and make it happen.
“In our family we don’t give each other Christmas gifts but rather put the money towards a vacation together and wouldn’t trade any of the great adventures we have had over the years.”
My in-laws are in their late seventies and have traveled with us to England, France, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Belize, Hawaii, Turks and Caicos, Honduras, Croatia and just recently a Caribbean getaway to St. Croix.
Whether your ideal vacation involves a passport or an RV, don’t just watch the Travel Channel, live it. Visit the places you have always wanted to see and experience the sites you have dreamed of. If I die tomorrow I have lived a wonderful life and experienced some awesome adventures.
“Don’t wait until you are too old to travel. In many parts of the world you won’t find handicap accessible areas like we have in America.”
I suggest you travel while you are strong and healthy enough to get around. It’s not going to happen yesterday, and tomorrow may not come. It’s a real challenge to face the present, because it means you can no longer say, “One of these days I’ll take that Alaskan cruise, drive across the country, ski the Swiss Alps, or climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.”
