Day 3,180

Growth:

Take photos almost constantly. Don’t let the lens get in the way of the experience itself, rather, allow it to become an extension of oneself. This way we are both 100% present in the moment AND we have the embers of memory to rekindle the fires when we view the photos. One well timed picture can light up an entire inferno of wonderful memories. As I’ve been reviewing the photos from our vacation my heart has been warmed many times by the flames of memory.

Appreciation:

Many years ago in a hotel room in San Francisco on a work trip I came across a quote which has stuck with me. The Marriott brand hotel had a beautiful travel magazine sharing experiences they had available and amongst the incredible adventures was this nugget which has stuck with me ever since:

Travel lets us see ourselves in a new way. With our minds free to dream, goals become clearer, moments grow richer, and we return home fuller than when we left.

Marriott Bonvoy

Another travel adventure has been had by my family and I. The time away has allowed me to dream bigger, to start putting together some bigger goals. The moments I’ve share with my family are so much more vivid and rich. I’m definitely returning home much fuller than when I left.

Travel is an opportunity to create space in our lives to intentionally focus on awe and wonder. I’m eternally grateful for the opportunity to take this time traveling with my family.

Interesting little side note… I found the initial blog I wrote on February 25, 2017 when I wrote about this quote. You can check it out here: https://thankful4forty.com/2017/02/25/day-151-thankful-for-added-motivation/. I then wrote about it again two years later https://thankful4forty.com/2019/02/27/day-882-thankful-for-talking-vacations-with-strangers-a-comment-from-a-teammate-last-week-and-a-quote-from-two-years-ago/. Enjoy!!!

Presence:

So many moments strung together over a week and a half, each a gift to each other, a new inside joke, a shared experience, a moment of awe together, love shared amongst family. Nothing quite like travel to create the space for an increased level of awareness with family!

Thanks!!!