Well, I’m home! 4,617 miles of summer fun. Whew!
It really was a great trip!! We got to see a lot of wonderful things: Shakespeare in Stratford, Ontario. The world’s biggest nickel in Sudbury! We saw museums of Locks and Canals, Cradle of Forestry, mining tours and a host of other wonderful treasures!
We found ourselves in the town that is the home of Popeye! That was cool! And we got to see the wonderful Shipwreck Museum of Lake Superior … (cue Gordon Lightfoot) … and it was a moving experience to see what raging weather can do on those lakes that were calm and beautiful during our trip!
We drove over bridges and mountains. On Interstates and back roads. Stayed in hotels, motels, and B&Bs. Some were great. Some were not!
The great thing was I felt like it was an adventure! I was able to stay present, and in the day – wherever we were. I drank in the weather, the scenery, the friendly people. I ate the fudge!! š
I’m glad to be home…even with the Florida summer heat. But I’m thrilled that we took this trip and that I didn’t let Panic or Anxiety keep me from venturing out!
Life is good – I wish the same for all of you!
7 comments
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July 30, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Marianna
Vacations are wonderful, especially the one you had, Cindy.
Now, this is something that you can use whenever you are anxious. By recalling the thoughts and feelings that you experienced while on this marvelous trip you will actually create a physiological change which lessens your stress-response.
For almost 48 yrs. I’ve had lots of practice in anxiety. I didn’t ‘get it’ until’t until I actually saw how quickly our “stinking thinking” affects our heart rate and learned that some of those stress hormones will stay in our body for up to 13 hrs. Fortunately, by practising the techniques I teach and seeing the results on the computer, my life works so much better.
Warning: Side effects may include: better sleep, improved memory, enhanced creativity, greater sense of calm, and if you suffer from a chronic illness: better lab results, greater pain control. š
July 31, 2008 at 8:26 am
Cindy
Marianna – rock on!! I’ll take those side effects!
July 31, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Marianna
Cindy, I have a confession. Knowing that I did get those side-effects, it baffles me why I slacked off. I guess that’s what it means to be human. We all have our peaks and valleys.
I had a big a-ha this wk. and noticed that my life doesn’t work as well if I’m not consistently applying the tools & techniques. There’s no excuse, either, since it’s not a huge investment of time and they can be done anywhere – on the road, in the Dr.’s office, before a big meeting.
Regardless of age, we can always learn! I’m back on track…and it was relatively a quick turn-around, too!
August 1, 2008 at 10:18 am
Marianna
By the way, I’m originally from Thunder Bay (the “head” of Lake Superior) and so Gordon Lightfoot sings a tune that has meaning. I had no idea that there even was a Shipwreck Museum of Lake Superior.
August 13, 2008 at 10:57 pm
jane
For me it has been impossible to apply everything I know, all the time. I do find myself slipping (or tumbling…) and it isn’t until after a while that I think a- ha, yes that’s what I need to do. Sometimes this can take a while, and a times it takes too long and I have to dig myself out again. It is hard to be consistently mindful.
September 6, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Marianna
Jane, I find though that the more you do it (mindfulness) the more you do it, if you know what I mean.
I believe the reason is that by resetting our “default” through these techniques it allows us to function in a way that is better for us. It seems that we intuitively know what is best and when we get out of our own way (through all the ‘stinkin’ thinkin’) we live our best life.
October 24, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Cindy
We share the same name and anxiety and panic attacks. So glad for you that you were able to get away and have a wonderful time out! I actually drove 3500 miles coast to coast this summer and loved it. You’re blog is great too! Best wishes!