Just Go and Travel

"Just Go and Travel!"

11/26/2016

Krabi, Thailand

“Please don't do it! Just go and see the world,” begged my Mother as I was getting ready to make one of the worst decisions of my life. I grew up in the small town of Goodyear, Arizona. Well, back then it was a small town! My parents were not young when they adopted me. And along with the age came illness that often limited what they could do as we were growing up. We did travel as a family but the family vacations were usually the same trips and always by car. We would drive each summer from Arizona to Idaho to be with family. And usually for the shorter vacation times, San Diego was the other destination where there was also family. I have wonderful memories of the time spent with my family including my brother, sister, aunts, uncles and cousins usually fishing, hanging out at the beach, shopping, playing cards or simply just sitting and chatting for hours on end. I have to say, life was pretty good. I had a normal small town kind of life full of great moments. However, it lacked adventure.

Needless, to say I did not listen to my mother on that day that she begged me to travel and to see the world. Instead I stuck to my guns and said “I do” which led into many years of very trying times. And as much as I know now, that those experiences I went through molded and shaped me into who I am today, I never dreamed that those words that she spoke when I was 18 years old would actually begin to become reality 15 years later! I often wonder if there was a reason for saying what she said. Was it just a ploy to prevent me from doing what she knew was going to be a disaster? Or did she have a vision? Perhaps it was just her wanting me to get out of that small town to experience more in life, more than she was able to experience. I really don't know why she said it, but she obviously knew what she was saying!

I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and family and have had the opportunity to travel for the past 14 years as I have also been living outside of my home country. My marriage was what brought me to Europe where I have been living, but it has also opened the doors to wonderful Southeast Asia! Being that my husband David is an airline pilot enables the idea of travel while offering discount airfare to the family. And the fact that he grew up in Malaysia gives cause to travel to Asia to visit his family along with my cause to be with my family in the states. And over the years, travel to Asia and America with a few mini European trips in between has increased our desire for travel immensely. The more we travel, see, touch, hear, smell and taste the more we are given a new perspective on life and the world! It has opened our minds and hearts more than ever before to people, cultures, ways and beliefs. And as we continue to connect with various people around the world our hearts' desire is not only to broaden our thinking but also to spread the message of love and hope! So, why would you just read about the world in books if you were granted the possibility to experience it in real life along with the opportunity to be a change?

Grand Canyon, Arizona

San Francisco, California

Penang, Malaysia

Newport, Oregon

Heidelberg, Germany

Groningen, Holland

Mallorca, Spain

Mont Pellier, France

Vienna, Austria

Barcelona, Spain

Berlin, Germany

Hannover, Germany

Langkawi, Malaysia

Ao Nang Beach, Thailand

More often than not, when we are young we refuse the advice of a parent or elder. And unfortunately it usually leads to disaster. But as we look back the picture is suddenly clearer, it makes more sense. I'm so thankful for the words my mother spoke into my life that day and everything worked out just the way it was supposed to! And I am quite sure that my Mother is looking down at me from heaven with a smile on her face, nodding her head and saying, “I told you so Robin!”

Has there ever been a time that you refused someone's advice about something but it eventually happened just like they said it would?

Tell us about it! We would LOVE to hear from you!

With Love and Blessings,
Robin and David

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