To have new eyes

Warning to my devoted readers: this post contains massive amounts of reflection (and quotes.) Read at your own risk! 

Miller Woods hike

Okay, I hesitate to make this declaration on Experiential Passage because it means I have to be publicly accountable. But when one is serious about achieving a goal, it’s got to be said (or written) out loud, right?

Regardless where my days lead, travel or no travel, I resolve to post on this blog at least once/month in 2014. It may not seem like much, and compared to prolific bloggers, it’s hardly anything.

Haystack Rock at Pacific City – a “summer” day in early January. (Completely untouched photo!)

Why do I want to post more often? After all, it’s just a hobby blog (I’ve never had plans to try and monetize it in any way) and if I haven’t ventured anywhere interesting, what’s the point of writing?

When I drill it down, writing for this blog is incredibly cathartic. It gives me joy.

When I started Experiential Passage over 3 years ago for our Semester at Sea voyage, I couldn’t fathom how my life would evolve and change. Experiential Passage is the documentation of my personal growth through travel; symbiotic of other milestones…. Despite all that, I haven’t allowed my blog to “grow up.” Perhaps that time has come.

Hiking to the mouth of the Nestucca River near Bob Straub State Park (same summery winter day.)

The title for  Experiential Passage was birthed from two quotes:

“An experience we shall always remember or an experience, which alas, we shall never forget.”  ~ Julius Gorden

and

“Every door is another passage, another boundary we have to go beyond.”  ~ Rumi

Jason gave me a card with the Rumi quote before I took a group of high schoolers to Washington D.C. in 2010, before SAS was a reality. Talk about prophetic! It is still pinned on the bulletin board above my office for inspiration.

When I created the tagline “Experience. Life. Travel.” I loved how it could have different meanings depending on the way it was read. If I switched up the punctuation like this:

“Experience life; travel.” or “Experience life – travel!” it took on a different tone altogether. For me, these words are interconnected. But I still prefer: Experience. Life. Travel. Now that Experiential Passage has turned 3, it’s time for it to evolve and branch out, true to its tagline.

It’s practically effortless for me to feel inspired, grateful, hopeful – all those wondrous emotions when you’re thrilled to be alive – when traveling or visiting somewhere new. As you’ve read on this blog before, travel is my drug of choice and if too much time goes by without a hit, I get draggy.

Sometimes it feels laborious to walk through everyday life and not recognize or appreciate the ordinary. Or let the inevitable stresses zap your zest.

Dappled sunlight through the firs and ferns at Miller Woods trail.

2013 wasn’t a big year of travel, so I didn’t post as often. I felt guilty about not writing. Or when I did post, I felt guilty that I wasn’t writing to market my business. Quite the vicious cycle. It’s ludicrous now, reading it on the screen.

On New Year’s Eve day, I spent several hours on a spiritual retreat. I’ve gone on a retreat before but it had been almost 4 years. For those who have “gone apart” you can relate to the opportunity for uninterrupted rest (and restoration), reflection, clarity, and peace that comes from quietude in a Godly, tranquil setting.

View from acreage surrounding retreat house.

Let’s just say I’m not waiting another 4 years to do another one! Some themes emerged from that day that I’m carrying with me: How You See Is What You See. Be fully present without fear, without bias, without judgment.

It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes, “The real voyage of discovery lies not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes” by Marcel Proust. A few days later, buried in a dresser drawer, I found a Mary Engelbreit poster I bought years ago (it says 1991 on the back!) A coincidence? I think not.

The real challenge is how we view and live the life we’re making – the ordinary days between the glittering moments of adventure. I’ve resolved to “see” with fresh eyes, everyday.

Since I made that decision, ordinary activities emerged as extraordinary moments…

• Roller blading through my neighborhood, thankful for safe streets, healthy legs to balance on, and friendly waves from neighbors.
• Going on “football walks” at night with William, grateful for bonding over tossing a ball back and forth, especially magical when sparkly Christmas lights illuminated our way.
• Savoring warmth from my coffee and fuzzy blanket during early morning contemplation.
• Spending the day at Pacific City, basking in 57 degrees winter sun, enjoying low key family time.
• Hiking at Miller Woods, a 5 minute drive from our house. We witnessed a red tail hawk soaring above us and sunlight dancing across a carpet of lush ferns. Jason taught all of us the basics of archery, too!

If you’ve read this far, I’m sending you a virtual hug of thanks! And here’s one more quote from Walt Whitman (also pinned to my bulletin board) that resonates with me lately:

“You must habit yourself to the dazzle of the light and of every moment of your life.”

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