Dreams are for living

My last post was an update on the past months of the adventures of Jared and Jane but I left out how this trip came to fruition.

I met Jared in Alaska during my world trip and my travels slowed down for a couple of years so I could wait for him to finish with his career in the US Coast Guard.  Since meeting me, he felt inspired by my life of living my dreams and wanted to start living his own dreams.  Remembering some of his dreams of travel and helping in the sustainable development field with environmental issues we decided to travel together and marry.  The plans for the trip began and we both got very excited with the many possibilities the world had to offer and what we have to offer the world with the gifts we've both been given.

Some background on me and what led to my wanting to travel the world before we met.  The purpose of my journey I've been on since leaving London in 2005.  Pursuing my dreams and having a life that I love while making a difference in my life.  I've always wanted to live a life that is extraordinary!  My purpose: to learn about alternative healing modalities such as Reiki, yoga, massage, Ayurvedic medicine, herbal remedies and naturopathy. 

The first seed of inspiration was planted when I was 17 years old, I was sent by my school to go on a trip to Lourdes, in France.  For those of you who are not familiar with Lourdes, it's a sanctuary and considered a sacred place located in the foothills of the Pyrenees.  It's the place where "Our lady" (Catholics believe in the Virgin Mary) met with a young girl named Bernadette Soubirous 18 times.  People from all over the world pilgrimage to Lourdes to get blessed in the baths that are there.  The spring water in the grotto is renowned to be blessed and has healing properties.  It's recognized as a miraculous place and many miracles have been witnessed there since 1860.  During the time I spent at the grotto, I seen many apparatus for example: walking frames, walking sticks, and crutches people use hanging from a line over the main area inside the grotto indicating when a person is cured they no longer need them.  Seeing this miraculous place as a young teenager, I was deeply moved by it.  At the same time helping the elderly people (from the diocese I was a part of) gave me a good feeling inside  by helping them by taking them to the grotto for the prayer blessings and masses.  My mind began to open with awe that there are places in the world like this.  These were my first memories of being inspired to travel the world, wanting to visit other amazing places, and witness the power of miracles first hand.  Seeing new cultures, learning about their customs, exploring new ways of living while experiencing new perspectives on how to look at life.

Leaving Ireland in 1998, I moved to London and worked as an investment banker for 7 years. During that time I visited 6 countries; Greece, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Egypt and Denmark.  The trips were short lived and I would always feel a bit sad returning to the corporate world afterwards.  The longer I worked in that industry the harder it became for me to live in that fast paced and cut throat world.  Practicing yoga and meditation definitely helped me, but I couldn't shake the nagging feeling; what am I supposed to be doing with my life? Do I have a purpose to fulfill?

Am I living an extraordinary life? Were questions that started the inquiry into the very meaning of my life and who I am.  I felt empowered to explore other possibilities of how to live my life, I have a choice! If I'm not happy, who's responsibility is it to change it?

"The Soul is the one thing you can't compromise" (are the words of a song by David Gray that touched my heart)

In 2005 I was fully prepared to leave my career life in London and jump into the unknown world of infinite possibilities!   My journey has gone in many directions and it took me to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Alaska, India, Alaska, India, Nepal, Guatemala, Belize, Nicaragua, Costa Rica then back to Alaska again (That's when I met Jared)

This blog is my opportunity to share a little of myself and my travels with those that I love. During my previous trips I've written a lot but mostly in my journal and through group emails I'd share some of my stories.  This is a way of documenting, sharing and mapping this auspicious journey through the world as I go.  Hopefully inspiring others out there to live your dreams too.

If we get one chance at this life - why not live it extraordinarily and be open to all the possibilities we can create through living our dreams.