Does Travel Set You Free?

TheJackB Talk about running on a treadmill!

Harry Chapin is great, isn't he?

TheJackB Off to Youtube to check this song, thanks Jack.

John Falchetto This version isn't bad:

http://youtu.be/1l0fH0dRUow

StaceyMJHughes Hi Stacey! Nice to see you back here at LFI! So you're settling in your new place? How are you liking it out there?

You raise an interesting "travel" perspective - escaping from a relationship. Yes, anyone with any honesty about their relationship will tell you it takes work. I'm glad all your ducks are lined up (and that you're back! :-)

StaceyMJHughes Hi Stacey, great point here, we can also go around looking for places called 'perfection'. As if they existed on a map somewhere.

Great to hear you are enjoying the journey :)

MimiMeredith Hi Mimi!

That is a good reminder to not be running. In a way, many of us are "escaping" into the world of the self-employed. Nothing wrong with that :-) But as you say, it's good to focus on where you are running, as opposed to what you are escaping. Does that sign still have an effect on you today?

Welcome to Life, for instance Mimi! It's nice to see you here!

The quote still resonates strongly with me. Whenever I find myself looking outside of me for justification of my attitude or behavior...whenever I have the desire to find the escape hatch in a situation or relationship...and, I also remind myself that I am happy to be on life's journey with "me!" I can be delightful company at times :)!

Thank you, Lori! I"m glad I found your blog.

MimiMeredith I'm sure you're delightful company Mimi. You're a bright spot today here. I'm glad you found LFI too!

MindAdventure Thanks Rob, yes lots of folks believe that changing the environment will help them. A fools paradise, absolutely, and just like other artificial paradises, it's heavily marketed with glossy brochures and other tricks.

MindAdventure Hey Rob,a change of environment isn't all it takes to change us, but it sure is a good start! Leaving some of our "stuff" behind, even the material stuff, is a start, don't you think? Though today with all the technical gadgetry, it's hard to leave anything or ANYONE behind. We're so connected via our stuff that it's rare we are alone.

I'd like to suggest that going away could be effective in bringing about change when there is an opportunity to think. [Read: retreat] Maybe a place in nature can provide this setting. For me, leaving all but the minimal and going to Greece with my daughter last year had life-changing effects for me. Just saying.

What do you think Rob? Have I just described an example of doing the inner work? If so, I rest your case! LOL

Lori Indeed, we never own anything - our "stuff" owns us. That is something I have learned. As long as we are surrounded by "things" and materials we are beholden to them to some degree. It takes a bold inner decision to take bold action of that nature - very true!

KimDavies BetsyKCross It's great having John here as host Kim! That part of the story gave me the shivers too! It's like he stepped into a mythological place!

I like how you say we "make the journey matter". I think it's our intention that does that. I remember watching the TV show Seventh Heaven where the mother was shopping with one of the daughters who didn't enjoy grocery shopping and the mother explained that she saw it as a way to care for her family. It changed the way I thought of shopping although thejackb has also given me something else fun to think about when I get my groceries today (http://www.thejackb.com/2011/07/07/customer-service-is-dead-at-the-supermarket/)

I remember a song by Michael Jackson when he was still a teenage with the Jackson Five which went, "Life is just what you make it, life is just what you want it to be..." (is anybody singing with me?!)

Thanks for your contribution to this post Kim!

KimDavies Hi Kim, Lori was gracious enough to allow me to post here. I do hope we get to meet one day, the location is irrelevant.

I hope you get better and rest this weekend. The Little Prince is my favorite book.

Lori BetsyKCross

annedreshfield Thanks for raising this aspect of travel - leaving home to go to college. Like you, I chose not to go where all my High School friends were going. I didn't go as far away as you did though Anne! I can imagine that such a distance would foster an independence in you! You went far away!

Do you have any pleasure trips planned - where do you want to go?

Lori Hmmm. I'm going back to Washington for a month before school starts up, and I can't wait! Other than that, one of my cousins is getting married in Georgia in the spring. I haven't been to Georgia for a long time, so I'm looking forward to going back, especially for such a joyous occasion! :)

Jk Allen Peace of mind is worth its weight in gold isn't it JK? It sounds like you knew just where you would be happy!

Jk Allen I hear you, one reason I moved to France was because I didn't want to raise my kids in a country were foreigners have next to no rights. Sometimes we travel with a purpose.

Mark_Harai Hi Mark! I love the way you say people should take "a good look in the mirror and realized the answer to all their problems, hopes and dreams was staring back at them. " Responsibility and as said, make a decision and take action! You and John Falchetto living proof that it's possible! The rest of us will be right over! :o Hey Rileyhar are we going to Costa Rica?! ;-)

Mark_Harai Hi Buddy, this is why you are my mentor. You simply have it figured out. Thanks for sharing your wisdom here, there is no way I would have been able to achieve much online without your support and the great community we hang out with.

John Falchetto Figuring out and mastering/ living it are two different things John.

However, when I do get flustered, angry, or anxiety attempts to paralyze me, I just stop and go "inside" for a minute, or an hour -- whatever it takes to get proper perspective back in order.

Living life on your terms requires awareness (most lack this) and the willingness to fight (if your not aware, you're defenseless) for the mindset that keeps you moving toward your goals.

Everyone has a bad day or some sort of weakness and life requires that we face and overcome those things that have power over us. Much of the empowerment is just a result of gaining wisdom and seeing either foolishness of youthful ways or seeing and understanding that the only obstacles we face in life are the ones we impose on ourselves.

The sky is truly the limit otherwise : )

I have much respect for you and consider you a good friend and mentor as well. Thank you for your friendship, I really value it very much.

Cheers sir!

Mark_Harai Ummmm, do we know who this is? Did somebody hijack Mark Harai's site? I know an APB has been sent out and some people 'thought' they saw him but I don't have a confirmed yet............

bdorman264 Hi Bill, you're too funny... it's good to see you here at Lori's place -- I hope all is well at the Doorman residence : )