I'm back!!!

This is one of those views that I always love, and have had the privilege of returning to a couple of times over the last three years.  It is one of the few places I travel to where I have a limit of 15 kgs on my luggage, and for someone that gets to travel internationally at least twice each month, that is a bit less than what I usually carry!  I haven't quite got the hang of the whole less is more story, I like to have the option of a few more than necessary outfits to choose from.

Then there is the extras - now really, they are what add up in weight - ladies - you know how important it is to have the right shampoo and conditioner, not to mention skincare and makeup - I weighed that on it's own one day - 2 kgs!  Paperwork comes in at about the same (not books - have been using an iPad/eBook reader for over 5 years now, and love it!), then all of the cords that go with phones, iPads and computers - all of a sudden it's not the clothes that take up all of the room!

Reading a friend's blog has prompted me to go back and read some of the things that I'd written several years ago, and reminded me of the importance of making a note of one's thoughts, whether it be in a journal, or a blog, or even scrap pieces of paper on your desk.  We have the ability to remember a multitude of things, but the more important they are to us, the more likely we are to remember them.

This was made very clear to me over dinner this evening - fresh tuna (thanks Shane!) cooked beautifully by Mum, together with very special salads and the dinner conversation turned to artists, songs, and years they were from, bought on by listening to Foxtel's Smooth station (806!).  Steve was adamant that Hot August Night by Neil Diamond was from the late '60's, and Sean was in agreement, but I was convinced it was 1972 - sure enough with a bit of help from Google (how did we ever survive without it!) and I won that round (with music, that does happen often!)  One of the reasons I was able to remember it so clearly is that I could see the album cover, recall the colours, in addition to hearing the music - not the first time I'd heard it, but I remember playing it decades after it came out.  The more emotion that is associated with a memory, the more likely you are to recall it.

Take the opportunity now to remember one of your favourite times, close your eyes, see what you saw, hear the sounds around you, what were you saying to yourself, to others, what were you feeling.  By recalling the sights, sounds and emotions, it makes it even easier to recall the memory.  Another reason that we uses images and songs to remind us of times/people and the experiences that we had.

Random thought for today - the last day of the first quarter of 2016 - spend some time every day recalling a positive memory, and being grateful for it, and other things in your life - it is a truly wonderful way to focus on the positives, be it first thing in the morning to start the day off the right way, or last thing in the evening, to end the day in a beautiful state (thanks Tony!) - why not do both! :)

Time flies when you're having fun!!

So all in life may not be fun, but this is not a dress rehearsal, so just bite the bullet and do it!

Biting not my favourite topic at the moment - did one of those things that are on the definite do not do list - try and open a water bottle top with my teeth - have never done it before, and I guarantee, will never do it again!!  Broke one of my front teeth, up under the gum, so best option (according to my dentist!) is a dental implant (well the option of leaving a gap didn't really fill me with joy!!).

Suffice to say the last 3 weeks have been touch and go - I've managed to nurse my broken and wobbly tooth through that time, and now only 4 more sleeps until I get it pulled out and replaced by a titanium post, let that heal for a few weeks then get the new tooth put on (got a temporary tooth whilst that happens!!)

All of life's experiences offer us lessons, or gifts, or challenges, whatever you wish to call them.  I've had a couple of challenges thrown my way in the last 18 months or so, but I'm extremely grateful and my big learning from these experiences is that what you focus on, you will get - be it good or bad.

So many of our media sources (ok, most of them!!) focus on the negative, that it can be hard to focus on the good things in your life - and sometimes the power of contrast can be put to great use here.  One of my favourite quotes - "Every day above ground is a great day", and a new one I heard the other day - "I'd rather be growing older, as the alternative isn't that much fun"!

The 2012 London Olympics was a great positive focus for the world for a few weeks, and of course the Australian media wanted to focus on the number of gold medals that the team didn't win - well how about some appreciation for these sensational athletes who actually qualified - the dedication that it would take to get to that level certainly earns my greatest respect! 

So take that little bit of extra time and make your own decision on what you want to focus on - be it today, tomorrow, or for the rest of your life!  Remember, if you're not working towards your own goals and dreams, then you're spending your time helping someone else achieve theirs - not always bad, but it can be even more rewarding if they are your goals too! :-)

Travel tip #1 - Packing your bags!

It doesn't matter if you're going on an overnight trip or away for several weeks or months, there can always be a certain amount of trepidation when it comes to deciding what to take.  Are you one of those people that knows exactly what they want they will need or pack one or two extra things just in case!  Lets get real here - I bet most people will get back from a trip and find at least one thing in their bag that didn't get to see the light of day! 

So what's the best way to take as little as possible!  You could try one of the following:

- take the smallest bag possible - this one doesn't work so well for me, as those who either travel with me, or have had to accomodate one of my bags will attest to!  I am getting better though - don't always take the big suitcase anymore!!  This is a great way to make sure you take as little as possible, and especially if you're on an overnighter, or a couple of days, the extra time you get by not having checked in luggage can be fabulous - it can even be the difference between making a flight and missing it!!

- leave your packing to the last minute!!  - a personal favourite, especially when going overseas!!  Staying up as much of the night before as possible assists in getting the time zones right and you get really focussed on what you want to take!  So far so good, haven't left anything too important behind!  Let's face it, unless you're heading to the wilderness, you can usually buy any little things you forgot to pack!  So two most important travel items - passport (or ID if staying in the country!) and money (either paper or plastic, whichever suits best!!)  If you have them, then it really doesn't matter what you forget, so don't stress!

- make it a game!  On a recent trip I made a committment that I had to pay $10 for each article of clothing not worn on the trip!!  I got really creative whilst I was away, and maybe had an extra change of clothing during the day, but it made me think a bit before putting it in the bag to start with!

- have someone pack for you! - Not one of my favourites, but it can work!!  One of these days I may try it on a long trip, works well for short trips!

- do your homework! Know a bit about the weather where you are travelling to - it is very easy to get weather forecasts for all over the country and all over the world - so don't pack the winter woollies if it's going to be the middle of summer.  If you are going to the middle of winter - what is winter for you, may be autumn for another part of the world.

- mix and match - that little black top can be worn during the day, or out at night!  Less is more - get creative and get pack accordingly!

It also helps to know your weight limits when travelling and weigh your bag before hand - rather than getting to the airport and having to waste spending money on excess luggage - this also goes for hand luggage!  Some airlines get very militant on this, its not always enough for you to make it look like you're carrying something very light, when in fact it's closer to 15kgs!! (Hiding heavy things in pockets is one of my favourites - at least until you get to the security screening!)

Until next time - remember whilst planning almost always helps, flexibility and humour will work when all else fails! :-)