Sometimes, quite often really, I’ve forgotten the simple fact that we’re here to revel in the world, to soak in the awesomeness of it. We’re meant to enjoy the “ride.” Instead, we buckle up, hunker down, and keep our nose to the grindstone. I’d like to ask, instead, that you lift your eyes to the horizon, and walk toward it. Take small steps, if necessary, but find a way to make those innermost desires a reality.
Here’s a case in point. Last July my eyes kept returning to an email offer I received, of a 10 day tour to Beijing and Shanghai. My spirit was calling me to jump on it, but my practical (a bit fearful) mind was arguing for restraint. What would happen if I left? Would the dog be o.k.? How about the teenager?
What about my clients? Would they accept the fact that I wasn’t ‘there for them’?
After literally days of listening to the two voices inside my head, I took the leap of faith, and signed on. After all, I had six months to pay for the full cost of the trip – and if worse came to worse (heaven forbid), I could choose not to go.
But, guess what? The Universe smiled on my decision for personal expansion – to go where I’d not been before; to stretch my wings, and soar. The money flowed in; the travel arrangements went smoothly, and on March 12th, 2010, I sat down in my airline seat, bound for Beijing. And the trip was phenomenal!
Kim Stacey at Yu Gardens in the canal city of Suzh.
I came home a changed, expanded, more aware being; more ‘myself’ than I had been in a very long time.
For those of you who are over 50, you may remember Ethel Barrymore. Her wisdom remains potent, despite the years.
What did she say that strikes deep?
“You must learn day by day, year by year to broaden your horizon. The more things you love, the more you are interested in, the more you enjoy, the more you are indignant about, the more you have left when anything happens.”
When you couple that with the inner knowledge we all have, yet sometimes forget; that it’s our basic nature to expand and grow – to reach for true happiness through expansion – it’s easy to see that you really must seize on opportunities when they present themselves.
So, when you’re given an ‘unbeaten path’ to a new horizon, take it. The expansiveness of reaching, stretching and growing will transform your life, every single time. Guaranteed.
I’m now dreaming of my next excursion. Back to China? Maybe Africa? It doesn’t matter; as long as it’s a new, totally unfamiliar horizon. Like this one I surveyed from the 7th tower of the Great Wall of China.
Kim Stacey is a freelance writer and copywriter, specializing in working with funeral service professionals. She is also a proud supporter of women in funeral service and is the founder of the Association of Women Funeral Directors. She can be reached at kim@wfdconnect.com.
