Welcome in 2019. Share your journey into the new year.

As I contemplate the new year ahead, I am filled with hopes and dreams. Since I probably won't win the lottery, I know it is up to me to turn my goals into reality. And that means thinking about my New Year’s resolutions. Each year, it seems we all go through the same process: we set resolutions, otherwise known as challenges -- to drop some weight always seems to be the biggest resolution and the biggest challenge. And 2019 is no different for me. But why is it so hard to stick to a resolution? One reason I believe is that we have no guide, someone to keep us from straying off the path.

​In creating Virago Journeys, I endeavored to create enriching journeys not just for myself but for others. And in doing this I asked one of my best friends, Suzy Reid, to be my partner. Not only is she my rock, she is also my chosen guide. She inspires me to do better. She has strengths that foil my weaknesses. She lifts me up when I feel down. And vice versa. We suffer the setbacks together and celebrate our achievements. Helping another person succeed can be the most fulfilling aspect of life. Besides, it's no fun to “toast” an accomplishment alone.

Sacagawea photo compliments of Brooklynmuseum.org.

So if I have one hope for you, dear reader, it is for you to find someone to be your guide, to give you support and encouragement throughout your journeys to keep you on track. Your challenge in 2019 will be to find that person, that guide. I believe challenge builds character. It teaches you about yourself and others, and it provides a deeper perspective on life. Dante had Virgil to guide him through the depths of hell. And Lewis & Clark had Sacagawea, the sole woman on their expedition through native territories, harsh weather, and unfamiliar wildlife.
 
Whether your guide be spiritual or physical, at Virago Journeys, we hope to be your guide in traveling the world. Travel broadens your mind and enriches your life; it is a true tenet of living well. One tour for 2019 that embodies the idea of living well is our new Yoga Italia tour. It brings together all my loves: yoga, healthy farm-to-table food, a beautiful location for restoring mind and body, and a culture steeped in history on a tour designed to provide a human connection with others.

So what challenges will you set for yourself in 2019? Anything is possible, so a toast to the new year, welcome all it brings with open hearts and open minds.
Salute!

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