Travel’in Light!

When did I REALLY start enjoying lifes’ journey?
*Was it when I became a Mormon?
*Was it when I went away to college?
*Was it when I got married?
*How about having children?
*Or when diapers were done?
*Was it while living on Oregon?
*Or when we moved to St George?
*Did it happen when I lead my first hike?
*Or when I stopped worrying about what my mother thought?
*Was it when I didn’t care what most people thought?
* How about having kids that make good choices?
* Was it becoming a grandma?
*Was it when we were able to start traveling together?

Each of these ‘moments’ came with their own rewards to be sure. But I’ve been asking myself lately-how come life seems to so much more enjoyable right now, at this point in time? It seems better than any other time I can recall.
Looking back I realize that my life has been one truly exhilarating journey.
The possible key?--Somehow I think I’ve learned to throw away unnecessary baggage (lesson taught in Italy to be sure) and to enjoy the ride.
I’ve climbed some hard hills (relatively speaking) Now I’m enjoying more of the exhilarating downhills of life. Sometimes flying with abandon . When I was younger, the uphills seemed endless-Everest like-and seemed to have no pinnacle in sight. I was uncertain that there would ever be a payback for all the work and sacrifice.

So maybe now is Pay Back time? The baggage is gone. I’m traveling light! Or…are the uphills just easier and more short lived the older I get? Am I in better “condition?” Thus the careening downhill with abandon is all the more breath-taking. Or…Am I much easier to please? Whatever the case may be,the older I get, I am truly grateful for the amazing ride of life.
Climbing at 10,000 ft is well worth the effort- cause look at what happens next!!!

If there is a way to teach my kids one thing; (ok,ok, there is way more than one thing Id like them to hear from me)- this attribute of ‘lightening up’ would be at the top of the list.
Sluff off the meaningless riff-raff that society loads on us- find peace in your own skin, be on your own path- with your eternal mate, and go for it!!!
Heavenly Father meant it when He said that we are to have joy in this life. And, oh yes, its also true that there does have to be opposition in all things too. (drat) You’ve just gotta make that climb up in order to scream your head off in jubilant exultation, as you fly down!! My advice is to go lightly, throw off all the added stuff that the adversary would have us think is important. I realize its easy for me to say this now- but I send these thoughts out with the sincerest of wishes. I also pray that I can always practice what I preach- for the next 50 years!! I intend to fully enjoy this journey we call life. I’ll pay my price in the uphills, so I may relish the spine tingling rushes of the heady downhill ride.


Travel Light!! That’s my new motto!!
Motto # 2 Be sure to travel!! This doesn’t necessarily mean by plane, train, boat or car either! Just move!! Explore! Do new things, take risks, stretch! Dance! Smile, love and scream with joy!!! And do your best to take someone along to experience it with you!!