Traveling is indeed an opportunity for adventure! It is my personal vision to spread a positive attitude peppered with kindness everywhere I go! I hear many people speak of the terrible world our planet has become…of the prejudices, biases, acts of terror and assault. I know today’s world does contain this side to it. I also know there is another aspect of the world I know, and when I am traveling I get to not only experience the other side but I also have a choice of what I want to contribute!
When I am in my familiar setting of the place I call “home” I observe how people treat me and how I, in turn, treat others; however, when off on a traveling adventure I notice even more the behaviors of others and myself. It has become crystal clear to me that I teach people how to treat me, and it is my perceptions that create what I “SEE” in the world.
On a daily basis I have a choice to focus on the positive…or to focus on the negative. When traveling I see fellow travelers as the composite of the creation of the story I want to experience. I can open my heart in a compassionate way to fellow drivers, people at the gas stations and stores, fellow foodies in restaurants, as well as all the workers who make up places I go in my travels. The other choice I have is to go through the world as an egotistical, controlling, rude traveler..believing all is about me and my current agenda. I have also in my life been this person. However, over the years awakenings have gently and not so gently rocked me into the belief that what I give out I receive back. Some call this karma. Some call it what goes around, comes around. Even some call it fate. There are people who believe that opening mouth and inserting foot, not pausing before pushing the send button on an email or a post on social media…is their right. And…of course it probably is! However, what we give out will return to us …maybe not in the same time frame…but eventually we will receive the kindness or the rudeness that we have given out.
I practice intentional living. Each day before I enter the world, before I pick up the phone, before I send an email or post a comment, before I leave my current lodging, I set the intention I wish to send out. This day I am making the intention to give kindness wherever I go…NO MATTER WHAT. I am hoping it will catch on. What a concept! Part of this idea is to check in with myself before inflicting any of my stuff on anyone else! If I make this choice daily during the times I may feel fearful, angry, frustrated, confused, etc. I can reach into my cosmic bag of tools and do something to either eliminate or decrease the feeling . Why would I do that?????? Only I would do that because my intention is to send out kindness. It is easier to be kind when I am not a bundle of some negative emotion. I am not perfect at this plan. I sometimes forget but know I get to start my day over once I remember I am not practicing my intentions!
A few days ago I met a friend for a couple of days in Northern Florida. While we were together in different places the opportunity arose to give kindness to several people….waiters, hostesses, clerks in stores. This friend and I both set intentions. We did not discuss what we were doing. We simply both freely gave the gift of kindness to others who crossed our paths. It takes practice to do this. It takes making a choice. I have noticed the more I practice setting positive intentions, the more prosperity…the more loving smiles and actions…the more at peace I have become. Does this mean everyone will exude kindness to me? No it does not. It does mean that if one of those fearful, angry people exudes meanness and disrespect, I still have a choice to respond with kindness and tolerance .
On this day as I prepare to walk on the beach I am going to intentionally pay attention for opportunities to be just a little kinder, just a little more loving, and to practice walking a mile in someone else’s moccasins because it is not all about me and whatever plan or agenda I have for this day. We are in this world together, and I know I cannot change the world, but I can do my part as a traveler and fellow human being to be kinder. I love the vision of peaceful traveling!