To say that things didn’t go as planned is this years’ biggest understatement. But what does anyway? when the only thing that is constant in life is change.
Making ends meet or just simply getting through the day had never been so difficult. The constant grinding and the anxiety that came with the pandemic while trying to keep one of the most important things to me (We Travel and tours) afloat had taken a toll on my health; I fell sick (not of covid so don’t freak and Thank God). I have developed a serious eye health issue that I had to take a break from everything. I had to shut my phone (my eyes more importantly), put my laptop/work aside to get all the rest I badly needed and prioritize my health which I realized I had involuntarily set aside and taken for granted. Something I would not have known had the world not stopped me in my tracks.
Survival at a time like this is just as crucial as surrender and by surrender I mean rest.
While I was away and while I had all the time and space that I needed to myself, somewhere in the middle of recovery, realizations dawned on me all at once. First, that this break was long over-due. Second, that now was definitely not the time for my travel agency to grow and flourish. Now isn’t the time to be worked up on my goals, come up with deadlines and work out travel plans… Instead, now is the time to take a step back, unplan, slow down and reflect. To be grateful for how life turned out no matter how difficult it was.
Sometimes, things fall apart so that they could fall into place.
I’m always one to look at the brighter side of things and although this pandemic wasn’t, at all, bright, I have learned that sitting in the darkness is just as important as finding the light. That there is strength in struggle… and that failure is necessary for success. Although I don’t consider my struggles as failures, on the contrary and as a matter of fact, it had been the bedrock from where my success is built; the very reason I have come this far.
Perspective is absolutely everything.
At one point during my recovery, I lost my vision and struggled for breath. All of a sudden and in just a span of seconds it felt as if I was fighting for dear life. In that moment my thoughts were racing. All of my fears weighed like a rock pressing on my chest killing every ounce of breath or hope that was left in me.
My world had literally gone dark.
When my vision returned and when I was finally able to breathe again, somehow I couldn’t control my tears. I wasn’t crying out of fear or agony and those weren’t exactly tears of joy. It felt more like a big relief; an overflowing gratitude for the very simple fact that I am able to see again. Breathe again. life is indeed fleeting and we don’t really realize how important things are until they are taken away or until you have to fight for it. Pretty much what this year was all about. In my case, both literally and figuratively.
Pain definitely has purpose and struggle only gives more depth and meaning to life.
Being my own hero is definitely what this year had molded me into. And I think it is just as important to acknowledge our weaknesses as it is to celebrate our strengths. The past few months had me thinking about the areas in my life that made me question if I was strong at all. A few meditations later I was able to break free of the toxicity of self-doubt. Nothing is more harmful than putting your weakness on a pedestal that you forget to embrace your strength. This is a time of struggle and difficulty, unfortunately this is the new normal. But our weaknesses don’t define us. It has nothing to do with adversity but has everything to do with personal growth. It is through our weaknesses and strengths that we are able to connect, inspire and learn from each other. It is where growth starts.
Speaking of growth, I have taken advantage of this time to “take time”. We progress at our own pace and this year we have been given the opportunity and perhaps the perfect excuse to slow down if not necessarily stop. We’ve been given a chance to start all over again.
Now more than ever, I have started to cultivate more meaningful relationships… most especially and most importantly, the one which I have with myself. I have learned that sometimes you have to be brutally selfish in order to be brutally selfless. After all, the love I am capable to give will depend on the all the love I am able to give myself. Self-love, I have realized, especially this year, is key to prosperity in all endeavors.
Travel had always been more than just an endeavor to me. After all, it is through traveling that I have found my purpose. It is this burning passion from which We Travel and Tours was founded. Now that the odds aren’t exactly on the favor of my plans, I have taken this time to not only rest and recover but to re-direct and re-focus on what could be done and prepare We Travel and Tours for the future of traveling. I am currently working alongside people on developing my website that I am so excited to share with you all. We travel and tours is still here and We will be ready whenever the world is.
So to say that things didn’t go as planned is this year’s biggest understatement but what does any way? when the only thing that is constant in life is change.
Perhaps this was exactly the change that I needed. No matter how painful and difficult it was, the struggle was a blessing; a tool that only pushes me further in life. These experiences is where I draw inspiration from to be the best version of me. To never ever again, take things for granted. To not forget about the past but learn from it. To never assume the future but to be ready for it. To be present. To live, breathe, laugh and love like it’s your last.
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