Nervous System Reset

Hello, hello, dear Reader! I'm back from my third trip this year and while I'm happy to stay in Boston through the summer, I'm also looking forward to my annual stay with my daughter in southern Oregon in the fall. At the same time, I'm exploring possible winter jaunts to different parts of Europe. 

I used to write a lot about the joys of travel years ago, pre Covid, when I often went on journeys outside of the U.S. Often I'd go for a retreat or seminar and then meander. I loved getting to know a new culture, hearing a different language, trying new food, and even bumping into other Americans (sometimes). I felt energized and enlightened and ever since my first overseas trip to Brazil when I was 16, I've been struck by how much I don't know what I don't know. 

Of course, I have gone places where I arrived with a preconceived idea of what I would encounter. I have been consistently and pleasantly surprised at how far off the mark I could be. I've heard people say that they didn't enjoy a particular place or country because it was "so different". We've all heard of Americans who look for MacDonald's or Burger King (which sadly are almost everywhere) because the food is "too strange". The author James A. Michener once wrote:

"If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people,

you might better stay home."

I agree with James, however I recommend giving it a try and broadening your perspective.

As the actor Alan Alda observed:

"Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while,

or the light won't come in."

I love the feeling of opening up to a new culture, learning more about their history, and letting my mind expand. I like listening and observing. As Ina Garten says in her new memoir, " ...You can't be inspired sitting at home alone by yourself. You have to go out into the world and see what people are doing, and that will trigger something else in you..."

My recent two trips to Europe, Iceland and Ireland, also offered me a beautiful gift I didn't expect. It is very stressful living in the U.S. with our current government. I am constantly aware that I go back and forth between avoiding the insanity on news broadcasts and social media and looking for the best ways to be proactive and protest the injustices. I grew up in the 1960's and 70's which was a time of turmoil marked by demonstrations, marches, rallies, and sit-ins. There was a sense of justified outrage that I currently find woefully missing while I find some comfort in small pockets of anger and indignation. While I am aware of this state of confusion, chaos, and uncertainty, I didn't realize just how much it was affecting me until I left. I landed in two countries that immediately enveloped me in kind, tolerant, inclusive, caring surroundings. They expressed concern for our situation and I felt myself let out a great sigh of relief. I started to believe in the goodness of humanity again and I embraced the opportunity to feel safe and relaxed, even if only for a week at a time. 

Travel has become like medicine for me. It offers the opportunity to step back, unwind, calm down, and decompress. It gives me a new perspective and it resets my nervous system. I give it a big thumbs up!

Sending Sparkles and Love Your Way!