Soul Searching Traveler

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Lao Tzu

I love new beginnings. I’m an educator, and one of the best things about working in education are the cycles of learning that begin with something new, evolve into projects and practice, and conclude so we can begin again with a new plan, a new unit, or even a new school year. Starting something new carries a sense of excitement and hope, anticipation for opportunities that might present themselves. I’m beginning this blog because I feel ready for something new.

I’m inching closer and closer to fifty. My career has consumed my life, and as I move toward retirement, I wonder what will be next for me. While my career has been my focus and purpose, what will replace that in just a few short years? I am more than an educator; however, I have poured my life into my work, sacrificing time with my family as well as time for myself. I want to intentionally build those things back into my life through traveling and spending time with loved ones in some spectacular places searching my soul to rekindle a passion for life beyond my career.

Join me on this journey to find awe-inspiring places, delightful cuisine, and beautiful fellowship with old friends and family. Through my journaling, I’ll share my planning for the trips as well as my reflections on the impacts and effects of the experiences. You’ll have access to photos and itineraries if you’re planning trips, but you’ll also catch a glimpse of how to engage in deep reflective practice, something I’ve spent years studying and practicing. I hope you’ll ask questions and engage in the posts so I can see how my work is impacting others. I’m a learner, so I want to hear about your trips and time spent in maneuvering different stages of your life too. We’re all on a pathway, and through deep reflective practices and intentional decision making, we can find that self-actualization for which we are searching. Let’s embark on our path to renewal.