day 38

Day 38: Feel Accomplished

Tuesday April 5, 2011

Yesterday I finished reading two books that have been lingering over my head over the past month.  Generally I inundate myself with reading 4-5 books at a time, and by doing this overwhelm myself with no end date in site.  This time I focused, and knocked them off my to do list.

I write this, it is day 38, and I have kept up with this internal goal of living internally as a tourist for 40 days.  Many of my friends and family do not about this inward journey I have been making, or have stopped asking question.  But I do.  This is an accomplishment. 

As a tourist I also have to do lists.  I have a goal to visit a new country each year and visit all 50 states.   Ironically there was a time where I visited more countries than states.  I felt I had to overstretch myself internationally.  In reality, what I needed in my life was to slow down a bit and see what’s around me.  People out there love America, I am lucky enough to live here, why not explore locally? 

So many times when I travel I take things for granted and try to compare myself to other travelers who can take months off at a time, or visited more countries than I have, even lived overseas.  I know I must step back and feel accomplished for what I have just done.  Many places getting a passport is such a strenuous tumultuous process.  In America, almost anyone can get a passport.  Use it.  Savor this trip you are on, and be proud of it, versus simply wanting more.   Feel strength on knowing you are in the process of completing this journey that you had set out to explore.