In my bid to travel to 100 countries, I was thrilled to find this opportunity to travel to Senegal. I’ve heard of the country, but never had an inclination to travel there. As luck would have it, the opportunity arose thanks to an inaugural trip there… and I snagged the flight! I’m looking forward to explore the city, the beautiful beaches, and a short side trip to Cabo Verde.
Vision Board
Welcome to my adventures. Happy reading!
A few years ago, a therapist told me “whatever you’re not changing, you’re choosing” and I’ve never looked at anything the same way since then.
I’ve been thinking about my 2025 vision board, as it’s time to start laying out the goals for the year. I divide my goals into 4 categories: travel (2 new countries to reach 100 countries); professional; personal (reading, health, etc.); and goals by each boy, since we work on titles in several sports. I’ve often been told that people who are single-focused get what they want, versus the people who split their focus. I disagree – when you break a goal down into tasks and schedule your calendar around these tasks, you can accomplish everything you set out to do.
With a limited amount of time due to work commitments and dog events, I found the perfect dates for my next adventure. The issues were where and with whom. So, I input the dates into Google Flights, and searched ‘anywhere’ from Denver – and voila, a decent deal came up to Athens. I booked the flight, got great seats, and invited a few friends. Can’t wait to relax in the warm Mediterranean sun and take in the sights.
The boys and I ventured to California for lure coursing and 2 shows. Cayper and Calyber loved lure coursing, as always, with Cayper winning first place in the veterans stake of the PHCA Western Specialty. Calyber had a great fun too! Then, at the supported entry at the dog show on Sunday, Cayper won best of breed! This marked his 6th time winning Best of Breed in a supported entry! Just love this sweet boy, his easy going temperament, and his zest for coursing and enjoyment in showing. He’s now only 2 points away from his Grand Champion Silver (show title) AND his LCX3 (lure coursing title.) Both those titles are on my vision board for 2024 and I look forward to meeting those goals. Cuest rakced up a few more points in the show ring – he isn’t old enough to compete in coursing just yet. Gito had fun seeing his friends, and Calyber took a spin around the show ring both days looking great!
not to escape life, so that life does not escape us. I am reminded, constantly, about what little time we actually have. It’s why I rarely watch TV, or sit on the couch, or scroll aimlessly on social media. When I’m not working, I’m usually at dog events or traveling somewhere on my bucket list. And, when I have down time, I read, I play with my boys, and spend time with my friends. It’s so important for me to invest my time wisely as we only get so much of it.
A friend of mine posted this quote today on TIME and WOW. Spot on. So True. It makes me realize the time I do waste and that I need to stop that.
This one is going on my vision board!
What else do you do when you’re recovering from surgery but book an international trip?
I know that planning these adventures, whether solo or with friends, helps improve my mental state and fulfill my goals and vision for my life.
I was angry – very angry – that I was forced to have yet another surgery at a very inconvenient time. Hell, I’m probably still angry, and yeah, I know I need to let that s*!t go. I will; just give me time. I looked into 2024 as the year where my heath would be at its best and life laughed at me. But, I made it through, and recovery is slower than I wanted, since apparently I’m older (big laugh!)
So, I booked a ticket for March and here we GO! Can’t wait to explore Portugal (which was a planned trip from May 2020 and we all know how that went.)
LFG – 2024! I’m here for the ups, downs, twists, turns, and living in AWE of these moments.
Since I’m nearly at my goal of 60 countries by age 50 (#60by50) – and I’m a few years from 50 — it was time for a new goal. I’ve heard from many people how my travels have inspired them to get out there, set a goal, finally throw caution to the wind and book that trip! It’s easy to stay in your comfort zone and just Netflix and chill. Or get sucked into your normal routine, caught up in the day-to-day, and not make time to take a break. I challenge you to break free – get out there – go see this amazing, beautiful, exciting world. What’s the worst that could happen?
The new goal is 100 countries by age 70! It’s doable, and achievable. Sure, I could stop work, cash in the 401K, and knock off all the countries on the list in a year or so. But, I love my work, my boys, my life here. In-between home improvement projects, and dog events, and work trips – fitting in these travel goals just gels. Finding airfare deals to far-flung places such as Mongolia or Suriname, and seeing if the timing works with my life – that is part of the fun. Getting an email that details the perils of travel or lists CNN’s latest “hidden gems,” sparks my interest. Reading through people’s adventures or catching a glimpse of a picture of somewhere I have to go – adding to my ever-growing list of places to visit. Then, integrating the travel into my life is the adventure and planning makes it part of everyday life.
After years of creating vision boards to frame my goals for the year, I have finally found a rhythm! I have 5 categories of goals, and put a few items in each.
This year my categories are:
- Dogs (list under each dog’s name for the things I want to achieve with them.)
- Work (a few points of inspiration)
- Travel (New Zealand, Fiji, and a ? – my goal is 3.)
- Personal (things related to health, relationships, finances, well-being, etc.)
- Outside of work – work does not define me, so there are other things I want to work towards, like this blog.
I found it easier to divide my board into these 5 sections, and create my own points of inspiration. Although it is a lot of stuff – I know I can achieve it. I am not going to share it – it is personal. I am going to look at it every single day. Tally ho – towards these goals!
#60by50
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