as i see it, it’s a two-step process.
first we adjust.
and then we assimilate.
i have studied the works of piaget,
the famous psychologist,
in some depth.
what he calls accommodation is similar to
what i called adjustment last week.
adjusting what you believe to incorporate new information.
the alteration of ideas, a framework shift.
assimilation is also piagetian.
fitting new information into existing beliefs.
the coalescence of ideas, somewhat subjective in nature.
assimilation.
so here it is.
the heartfelt conclusion to my european adventure.
my current task?
to assimilate the awe into the everyday.
it wasn’t just a vacation.
i wasn’t simply on holiday.
it was the test run of a new way of life.
and though delightful in many ways, it was difficult in others.
spoiled yes, but i missed my comforts.
my washer and dryer.
charmin toilet paper.
watermelon.
a superstore.
oh yeah, and the ease of communicating in a familiar language.
here is an excerpt from my journal about four weeks in:
the trip has been amazing, but there have been several obstacles.
we’ve been trying to see as much as possible in the time allotted.
which means changing locations every few days.
i like to go somewhere and stay put for at least a month.
explore, work, relax, live.
but we are about to pack up and head out once again.
for the NINTH time!
still FIVE more beds to sleep in!
been dealing with illnesses too.
inevitable with all of the exposure.
on subways and in crowded museums.
and trying to get our clothes washed has been a joke.
difficult to find laundromats in the places we’ve been.
i’ve done several loads when i’ve had the chance.
with small-capacity washers and energy-saving dryers.
when there’s been a dryer.
there are currently clothes draped on every available surface.
and they are NOT drying due to the humidity and lack of heat.
too much luggage.
rental car smaller than promised.
very close contact and irritable moods at times.
mosquitoes.
abrupt weather changes.
loud partiers at our hotel in madrid.
a sinus infection in paris.
a dirty apartment in zurich.
no hot water for a day in the alps.
no heat in milan, no heat in florence.
walking a mile with all of our luggage through the streets of rome.
right before getting stuck in crazy traffic on our way out of the city.
not being able to find our apartment in florence. or the owner. at midnight.
then finding ourselves in utter darkness when the power went out.
this is not my preferred mode of travel.
jumping from place to place to place, our collective patience wearing thin.
and yet . . .
we’ve seen and experienced such amazingly unbelievable things.
like michelangelo’s “david” yesterday.
truly awe-inspiring.
and meeting close family members for the first time.
communicating with them despite the language barriers.
discovering my roots.
an unimaginable feeling.
a wise friend said to me,
“april, what a great description of your trip.
we are always balancing the frustrating with the amazing.
every day. all the time. no matter where we are.
thanks.”
(you are so right, cindy ehlert brown. thank YOU.)
the next day, after a good night’s sleep,
i expanded on what i’d written in the last two paragraphs.
yesterday i complained a lot.
about some of the inevitable things that go wrong while traveling.
so i felt the need to collect my thoughts and write again today.
to try to put everything in perspective.
the fact is . . .
i wouldn’t change anything about this trip.
even the trials.
this has been the most amazing educational and cultural experience.
but i’ve also gained a better idea of who i am and where i came from.
and it’s been an incredible growth challenge as well.
i’ve discovered that i am stronger than i thought.
(both emotionally and physically.)
that i can endure and/or disregard more than i imagined.
i used to be quite a worrier (and still have tendencies that way).
now i’m living by the motto “it is what it is.”
it’s a fabulous feeling to know i’ve conquered fears.
i’ve dug deeper.
i can survive awkward frustrating moments with language/custom barriers.
(with laughs and hand gestures.)
i’ve closely connected with people i’ve just met.
i’ve proven that i can do my work anywhere on the globe.
and i love the freedom that comes with just picking up and going.
i’ve experienced such richness.
my eyes have been opened to fresh insights, new opportunities.
this is probably the last big journey we’ll take as a family of four.
which has its own bittersweet flavor attached to it.
but i wouldn’t trade the magic of it all,
including both ups and downs,
for anything in the world.
as i wrote, i began to feel a heightened sense of conversion.
one definition of JOURNEY is “passage or progress from one stage to another.”
passage.
progress.
i boarded an airplane.
and i flew to a physical location.
but the real journey was not geographical.
it happened inside.
my existing persona
plus
my evolving journey
yields
one eager emotional pioneer.
hopefully improved.
definitely and forever changed.
assimilation.
integration through absorption.
now.
time to plan that next chapter of my journey.
to places presently unknown to me.
merely imagined.
~~~~~~~
what does your unique personal journey consist of, look like?
try incorporating, along the way, the six commitments.
(introduced in my european wellness series.)
1. enjoy your life now. (spain)
2. boldly trust in your essence. (france)
3. openly invite the perfect environment. (switzerland)
4. examine your origins in more depth. (italy)
5. allow time in your schedule to inhale deeply. (monaco)
6. attentively care for your body and soul. (portugal)
please share your impressions, reflections, reactions.
my global life link-up
Having just returned from a 12-day odyssey of my own it was nice to reflect on similarities and differences….and to read your challenges. Without the challenges, we don’t really appreciate the smooth bits. Cindy Ehlert Brown said it well.
Iceland, England (in theory it is our same language….but not), Belgium, France, Qatar, and Hong Kong….selective hearing or ignoring or not having any chance of understanding, is sometimes isolating and wonderful. Being out of routine and just Mike and I, as a team, was fabulous. Spending this time with your men, out of your home base routines, being daily in a state of flux and transition, is unique….and to be cherished. Glad we both got this experience. A real blessing, for me, anyway.
thanks for sharing, becki. i don’t believe i understood the true value of travel when i was younger. i have grown immensely in the last several years through my wanderlust experiences.
Aoril, I haven’t checked in for a while and boy how I missed your posts! I’m so glad you are/ were having such an amazing time! And still hoping you come by The Netherlands some time :-).
so glad that you popped back in, nathalie. and you are definitely on my list of must-sees when i finally make it to the netherlands! 🙂
April this is so sweet and true. I live by the expression: isvara pradinhana which means “surrender to God” or blind faith. The idea that the path we are on will lead us to where we need to be (even if there are trials along the way). Thanks so much for sharing your adventures with us and for sharing your final thoughts on how to incorporate this into your daily lives. You’ve learned (and taught) a lot in the last few weeks. Welcome home and bless you!! <3
thank you so much for your kind words, jenny! i like the idea that “the path will lead us where we need to be.” (and appreciate you sharing that saying.)
Loved your round up of what you learned on your amazing European adventure April!!
I’m going to print out and keep this quote from you: we are always balancing the frustrating with the amazing. every day. all the time. no matter where we are.
This describes my life! As an American living in Madrid I feel this sums it up so perfectly! Thank you xx
i imagine you have experienced what i’ve talked about and much much more, kelly! i loved madrid and hope to return one day soon – perhaps we can meet up. 🙂
Hi April .. I love your conclusions per country …
I am also a world trekker ..
I have returned to my country for a few months to regain strength, focus on my biz, and plan my next global trek
Im hoping next time I can do it a bit more sustainably .. alhtough I do tend to stay at least a month whereever I go .. I really need that time and love getting to meet people thats what travel is about for me ..
Being home I have become very grounded, got my health back, am more focussed but I do miss the exotic travel ..
I resonate with some of your conclusions with the countries especially France .. I do not feel my trip to France is completed .. its great to share travels in terms of what they give you than merely what you see and do .. thanks for sharing .. happy homecoming … x
yes, meaghan – i prefer to spend at least a month in each location as well. and it sounds as if we’re currently of the same mindset. i’m focusing on family and my business right now, planning my next adventure to south america (hopefully in the spring). we have an apartment in buenos aires, argentina and i am eager to take a side trip to chile! yes, travel goes much deeper than just what you see and do, doesn’t it? it forever changes you. thanks so much for stopping by!
I think you just tapped into the truth of LIVING, April…if only we could all say the same about this “trip” we call life!
“the fact is . . .
i wouldn’t change anything about this trip.
even the trials.”
fabulous observation, sabrina! i always appreciate your insightful comments. 🙂
Beautiful writing and a beautiful idea! Too often we don’t take the time to stop, reflect, and take assimilate what we’ve learned. Thanks for the reminder!
how sweet, casandra – thank you for your lovely words.
April, so happy to see you in the Global-Life Link-up! Meant to send you a message to let you know about it! You beat me to it! Great post as always!
glad to see you there too, dr. j!
I really love that you’re trying to “to assimilate the awe into the everyday” after your time abroad. In a survey I conducted on re-entry I found that “feeling alive” was the #1 thing people struggled with when they came back from abroad. I know that’s exactly how I felt when I came home.
It’s much harder to find the “awe” in what seems routine, even boring, but I think it’s key to feeling truly “alive”. Sometimes we chase that feeling by going abroad again and again and again (that’s what I did) but even that can start to seem routine. So, really, it’s got to come from within. Thanks so much for sharing this post in the My Global Life link-up!
such an interesting finding, cate. i’ve definitely struggled with maintaining that “alive” feeling during the in-between times. i try to approach each mode of my life with wonder and appreciation. and i agree – the awe must ultimately come from within. thank you for allowing me to be part of the “my global life” link-up. i’m honored to be featured among such fascinating people! 🙂