live each moment with awareness and wonder.

after a month in europe, i am back at my home base in the states. it was an incredible journey that stretched me in many ways. the trip included elements of both a personal and business nature. i've been energized and inspired, and i now have more clarity going forward.     much of my trip has been captured forever in images. (as those of you who follow me on facebook can certainly attest to!) memories of a lifetime that touched me or changed me in some way.     but there were several fleeting moments that escaped the click of my iphone. as well as moments that simply could not be photographed. these moments were just as meaningful, but are in danger of being forgotten.

so i have decided to make an attempt at describing these individual scenes. to safeguard and remember them for eternity.     here is my list (in no particular order):

• large storks flying by the highway in spain, their huge nests in the trees alongside the road

• pink fruit blossoms in the orchards

• an old man on the back of a horse-drawn cart in portugal, driven by gypsies

• a shepherd herding his sheep, with an old-fashioned staff in one hand and a modern cell phone in the other

• american pop music (favoring taylor swift) playing in the background in portuguese, spanish, and french cafes and shops, while i tried communicating with the vendors in their native languages

• the charm of a frenchman

• black bull billboards in spain

• several intact castles nestled at the tops of hills in small villages

• the city of madrid, as seen from the highway

• a group of women friends talking, laughing, and gesturing at a portuguese cafe

• the absolutely genuine smile on a young french boy's face, in response to the one i gave him

• red rock formations in the iberian peninsula

• a french subsidiary of the american company johnson controls in the countryside

• many many roundabouts

• church bells ringing

• a monastery with the pyrenees mountains in the background

• the breeze and scent of both the mountain air and the coastal air

• toll booths, everywhere

• very curvy french country roads (and several "grand prix drivers in training" passing us!)

• a glimpse of a bored french teenager in the backseat of a car

• the only american we saw during the entire month, with a huge backpack and a friendly wave, munching on a baguette as he sauntered off down the street

  and so much more. (as i recall additional moments, i'll add them to my growing list.)     each of my days felt longer. and the weeks seemed to move forward more slowly than usual.

i think there are lessons to be learned here.     always stay fully engaged in your surroundings. live each moment with awareness and wonder. be open to new experiences, even when it feels uncomfortable. embrace the unknown and incorporate it into your framework.    

s-t-r-e-t-c-h your l-i-f-e.

make it matter.    

    what is your favorite trip memory that you missed capturing visually?     *******     are you ready to embark on the essence7 journey? (click below for my free guide.)   [maxbutton id="1"]