SEIZE THE DAY

For whatever reason, some people spend their life dreaming about places they would love to visit but never do, while there are others that find ways to fulfill their dreams, no matter the cost or sacrifice.

Obviously there are places some of us would love to visit but just cannot afford, be it time, money, or circumstance. As a contributing writer for Living Magazine, I have the opportunity throughout the year to share with you some of my travels. I am amazed at the number of readers that tell me they have always wanted to go to a certain destination, but just haven’t done it yet. My reply is always the same, “What are you waiting for?” There is so much to see and learn around the world, and so many destinations to experience.

So often we get caught up in the details of day to day living that we don’t take the time to seize an opportunity. We’ve got deadlines and commitments, problems and priorities, distractions and obstacles, and though we really want more fulfillment from every single day, we don’t often take the time we need to rest, relax, and recharge.

C. S. Lewis said: “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. My father-in-law was a banker for years, and very conservative about everything. He held back from experiencing a lot of extras in life, fearing the unknown and always wanting to make sure he and my mother in-law had what they financially needed to last their lifetime. Although that is an admiral trait, we encouraged both of them to enjoy

STORY & PHOTOS BY CINDY BURCH

their lives, and quit worrying about a future they have no control over. After years of persuasion, they became more relaxed, applied for a passport, started traveling and even got certified in scuba diving in their sixties. We traveled with them to Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Canada, Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Turks and Caicos islands and the US Virgin Islands before my father-in-law was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia and passed away.

Whether your ideal vacation involves a passport, or an RV; don’t just watch the Travel Channel, but visit the places you have always wanted to see, and experience the sites you have dreamed of. Benjamin Franklin shared with the world the secret of his success. It’s not going to happen yesterday, and we can’t put it off until tomorrow, because tomorrow may not come. It’s a real challenge to face the present, because it means you can no longer say, “One of these days I’ll take that Alaskan cruise, drive across the country, ski the Swiss Alps, or climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.”

Seize the day and vow to make this summer the beginning of some new life adventures!