Leaving time for relaxation, meaningful visits with new and old friends, time in nature, and exploration of new places. Trying to fit in too much just leaves me a bit unbalanced, which defeats the whole point of leaving home.

My most important discovery is how my wanderlust has been fully awakened.

I met a woman on a deserted beach in Northern California. She shared some of her travels through the 23 countries she had visited. I left that conversation with a longing to see this beautiful world and a feeling that I’ve missed that boat.

Talking with my husband, I recounted my worldly journeys through the years and discovered I had visited 17 countries. So maybe I’ve missed nothing even while my longing strengthens.

I’m back to dreaming about traveling again. My eagerness is balanced with a healthy dose of experience about how best to prepare, when to schedule work, my ideal travel pace, where to save or splurge, and how to become really flexible with expectation.

Oh yeah. And my preference for comfort.

Having been bumped up to business class a few times, I had no argument when my husband facilitated his own bump on the long flights to and from California.

I’m practicing my flexibility even now as I paused writing this blog to be served lunch. I just finished my lasagne, salad, and ice cream sundae. Much better than pretzels and water in coach. And space. I love the space offered by fewer people and quieter locales.

Crowded cities, traffic, beaches, and restaurants aren’t my idea of paradise.

Learning what makes the experience worthwhile is essential. I’m taking good notes this year of “practice traveling.” So I know when to work or not work. How to play slow or fast. And how to pack light. Well, that’s a work in progress, one which I hope to master very soon.

I’m ready to dream again this week in my Sacred Intent Visioning Retreat on Saturday.

I feel like my travel dream is launched and that research will continue naturally. My current longing for simplicity seems at odds with the wanderlust on steroids feeling I’ve got. Yet, I know my Soul is speaking to me and I’m looking forward to listening deeply.

My Soul has a dream. It’s a personal dream. And a dream for humanity.

I don’t understand how my little self and my small dreams fit into the larger picture. This much I know for sure: I don’t have to understand anything. Just drop within the stillness of my being and listen deeply. And walk through my moments with relaxed alertness so that I may find the clues which mark the perfect path.

I look forward to being home. Seeing my dog. Returning to Soul Sanctuary. And connecting meaningfully with the people and places in my own backyard.

I haven’t missed anything. And likely won’t miss traveling when I’m experiencing the joy of connection and purpose while at home. That’s another thing I learned. I’m not missing anything, even as I discover the worlds I never knew existed.

Wherever I go, there I am.

That’s a work in progress as well. To let the planning, dreaming, and moving happen organically while staying firmly grounded in the present moment. Full, complete, and at peace.

I’m getting a few hints about this budding dream of simplicity as I write. 

About the nature of living in gratitude for what (who) is here, curious about what else is possible, and being open to a whole new (unknown) adventure. I’m going to read my book now (which means I’ll soon be napping), while I let this seed of a Soul Dream root deeply within my being.

I was just served my water and pretzels.

Seems there is goodness offered wherever I sit. I’ll reexamine my previous dismissal of this gift with an open, appreciative heart. And since I’m so full, I’ll pass them onto my husband.

If I can find him in this roomy cabin in the clouds.