See It Through...

​February is touted as the month of love, in all its many guises…love of one’s significant other, love of oneself, love of family, and so on. Yet for love to grow, to become everlasting, it needs trust and dependability.

​I’m a glass half-full kind of gal. I believe in seeing the best in people, keeping my hopes up and, placing a positive spin on a disappointment…behind every cloud the sun is shining. So, I recently heard an amazing speech from Murray Garvin, a NCAA Division 1 Head Basketball Coach, and I thought to share a few of its tenets with you for there are things I strongly believe in, and if you travel with me and become part of my travel family then you will come to know some of what makes me…me.
 
I believe in being dependable. Show up every day when you say you will. Over-deliver on what you promise. It’s something everyone can do, so choose to do it. Coach recited one of his favorite poems that he had memorized verbatim, so I share it with you here. Coach said a failure is not a mistake. Much like the poem: “you may fail, but you may conquer.” I have faced failure in my own life, dropping out of high school at a young age, not finishing college when I had my son, but I returned once he was in high school, and now I have my master’s degree. We learn from our failures, mistakes that we make. It sets us on a different path, but soon you must face it…head-on. How else do we grow?
 
The poem was written by Edgar Guest, an English-born American poet, known for presenting a sentimental view of everyday life. Edgar’s poems were inspirational. Coach Garvin’s message was inspirational. I felt uplifted after hearing it--a little lighter, a little happier. Such a simple thing to make another person happy. Why do we find it so hard to do sometimes?
 
I believe it comes back to trust. Trust in yourself that the person you open yourself to will not hurt you. But even if they do, know that you will be okay. Lift your head and try again. So be open, be happy, and spread your happiness with others.
 
One often hears about the five love languages: words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, quality time, and physical touch. My love language is acts of service--when I cook for someone, I show my love. To me, sharing is caring. I share a meal, my hospitality, my warmth, my love of Italy with you, hoping to impart some of what I feel to you. I share of myself.
 
So I ask you, what inspires you? Is it the dawn of a new day? Watching the sun set? Running that extra mile on the treadmill or through the park? Or perhaps checking off items on your to-do list? My goal is to create itineraries that inspire you, to create a lasting impression, a journey that will make you connect with a different part of yourself, one you may have forgotten existed long ago.
 
The place I call home has many things for you to do. I sent an email off to my subscribers giving them some romantic options around town. If you didn’t get it, be sure and sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss any future unexpectedly delightful ideas.
 
This month I ask you to do something different, try something different, open yourself up to a different experience. Need some help? Give me a call and after a few questions, I may just find your answer.

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