“The world is a book, and those who do not travel only read a page.”
Saint Augustine
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I’ve been keeping a secret from you. I recently found out that the conference I was scheduled to speak at was cancelled, and suddenly my Ireland plans seemed frivolous to me. While I will always have a strong desire to explore that country and my Irish roots, it felt a bit extravagant without a business-related purpose. If I’m going to be away from my family for a significant period of time, it needs to be meaningful and productive. I reached out to my friend and (then) Ireland travel partner Kirsten Alana with a bold idea – why don’t we go to Paris instead? She responded with a swift and resounding YES, and I did a happy dance. It’s been almost exactly a year since I was last there (avec ma famille) and I’m missing it greatly. I couldn’t wait to share my news with you this week, and then…the terrorist attacks in Brussels occurred.
While I’m feeling sorrowful and anxious, I will not be changing course. In fact, I feel more inspired to travel than ever before. I feel a responsibility as a human being, as a woman, and as a mother, to demonstrate courage and perseverance in the face of fear. I believe strongly in the sentiment above, and will forever encourage my children to see the world (I’m very proud that they’re already one passport stamp in at three years of age). The places and people I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing over the years have changed how I live my life. I’m a more tolerant, cultured, enlightened person. Sure, some of those things can come with age (I’m thirty-six)…but my travels have accelerated my maturity. I refuse to allow these horrific events to derail my dreams, my beliefs, and my desire to travel. Paris, mon amour…I’ll be seeing you soon.
image courtesy of ashley ludaescher photography
