Thoughts En Route to D.C.
Three lessons I am still learning
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This newsletter is where I share weekly observations on two important forces in my life: love + travel.
In addition to narratives, I provide tools to support you in creating the confident, loving, and adventurous life you deserve.
Read up on my last newsletter about travel as protection here or the entirety of my work here.
As I settled into my seat on this chauffeured coach, I’m suddenly grateful for three elements of the journey ahead.
-Fully charged headphones + a highly anticipated read*
-Road snacks including a cold ginger beer
and finally,
-Booking a seat as far away from the bathroom as possible.
The last for obvious reasons during a four-hour trip in close quarters. The thing all three have in common, however, is the element of preparation. Let me be clear, that has not been the theme of the past week for me but this evening, with support, I got it right. And I’m the better for it because uninterrupted reading is incredibly satisfying and according to my husband… (checks notes) … I turn into the Incredible Hulk when hungry.
Adventure and indulging in wonderful food are central in my creation of an abundant life. Suffering low blood sugar and turning into a gamma radiated super– not so much. But, as a student of the game I realize certain lessons take longer to download into ways of being than others. As I stare out of large paned windows with the city retreating in the rear, here are three truths I am chewing on while coasting down I-95.
Maximum Output Needs Premium Input
Something you should know about me is I am committed. When I desire something, I will run through you and the brick wall behind you to get it. If something is in the way it will be moved, if I am to stand and wait I’ll wear comfy shoes. My ambition is therefore my greatest strength and, at times, the source of an overcrowded schedule. It is trendy to say things about being in a soft girl era currently but honey chile, when I tell you I show up to the finish line at times like I just got mugged and they ran off with one shoe, I am not lying.
Accomplishment is high on my hierarchy of needs and I make no apology for it.
What I can do better, however, is scheduling my week so I still have space for restful sleep, downtime to think, and daily movement either in the gym or through yoga. How I spend my time is how I spend my life - it gets to be sweet. The struggle doesn’t have to be real.
Being Taxed is Part of It
Most things in life have an acclimation period. It takes a baby, on average, between 10 to14 months from birth to start walking. New hires receive training sessions and probationary periods to adjust to their new roles. Astonishingly, it can take up to 22 years for a pecan tree to reach maturity. Everyone’s timeline is different based on what they seek to accomplish.
I say all that to say no one forces me to deliver weekly musings into your inbox or highlight and review others writing. I choose to do so not in spite of, but, because it is challenging. It is arduous, pushes my boundaries, and requires balancing alongside all of my other responsibilities.
But understand this - new ground is rarely level, and it’s not meant to be - it’s not a comfort zone. It is meant to be taxing. It requires effort and showing up, and new habits. It takes consistency and discipline to bring about proficiency. And when proficiency happens - which it inevitably does with enough repetition the cycle begins again.
So whether the taxing is endured for 10 months, three weeks or two decades understand it will be challenging for a while, but not forever.
It’s not the end of the world; or it is.
I’ll close with the above, which my husband tells me often. Most recently two days ago.
I tend to do this thing where I equate my worth with the outcome of my efforts. It makes for a solitary inner world, at best, and a deeply uninviting outer one at worst. I get so caught up in this unnerving behavior it can be hard to tell I am even in the storm.
But you know who can?
Those who love, see, and care about me. They tend to remind me I am so much more than anything I will ever accomplish - could ever accomplish. And regardless of how perfect I try to make a moment/occasion/surprise, the time spent together is truly the only thing that matters.
Missing an imaginary mark is not the end of the world. And if it is, then it is the end of the world, and in that moment I can say with certainty it would not matter. Could not matter compared to what I truly hold dear.
And while I am learning my actions will not cause the end of civilization, the offering usually leads to the end of a world view, belief, or credence I hold. Which then gives me pause to realize nothing is worth holding on to if it isn’t the truth of the moment.
I say “of the moment” because the only consistency in life is constant change. We’ll continue to learn new things, unlearn the old, internalize what aligns and discard the unhelpful. We’re all becoming. The truth of humanity is that we’re both incredibly wise and absolutely foolish at the exact same time.
And I’m learning to be okay with that. I’m learning over and over again I don’t have to be perfect, I’m not always correct and I am still loved by God and all of nature either way. I am whole as I am and that is more than enough.
May you be warm on the journey.
Until next time, I love you.
RL
*My current read:
I learned about this book in passing until someone highly suggested I read it. They believed it would be right up my alley and so far they are not wrong.
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LET ME KNOW:
What lessons are you taking cycles to learn/unlearn?
What are you presently reading, listening to, or creating?
Do you get hangry? Have you ever been compared to a Marvel Avenger?
What are your plans for the weekend? Going anywhere fun?
Travel teaches me many lessons, here’s more on the topic:
-Listening to my heart in Jamaica
-Gifts in Cartegena
-Making a home in Iceland
-I <3 New York
I totally hear you. Big facts on the energizer bunny bit, the internal propulsion is only helpful if it’s put towards something you truly are passionate about. I do believe it can be cultivated, especially since it’s something you desire. I’m rooting for you. Thanks for reading.
This just reminds me of how traveling can get your thoughts flowing. It has a similar effect of taking a long hot shower- cause why do all the best ideas come when you’re soaking wet, haha. I digress. While I’m still musing over a lesson to share, I can attest to also getting hangry. Let this be my sign to get better at packing snacks!