What Now?

I don't think I was completely prepared for the physical or mental experience of the Inca Trail. Completely shut off from technology, news, politics, traffic, consumerism, materialism, schedules, clocks, school, and work demands, I sit here on the last flight before arriving in Tulsa, body too sore to move, looking at the clouds pass by, longing for change. This last week has taught me so much. I want the experience and the whispers of the clouds moving through the Andes to continue to change me, even once back at home.

Tomorrow starts a new year, and what better time than now to start thinking about how I want to live differently this second half. I feel as if I have been shaken awake, and I don't want my mundane life to put me back to sleep. I've been reminded, once again, that the world is a big and beautiful place, with fascinating people everywhere. Places of awe and wonder and people who inspire and intrigue are out there. Instead of longing to be home as I normally am after a trip away, I am not ready. The speed of life is really starting to sink in, along with the dangers of being on cruise control, numbly going through the motions each day. I'm just not ready. I long for what I'm feeling to keep on going...

Being on the trail, so remote, putting one step in front of the other, and surrounded by the most amazing beauty, I had nothing but time and focus to think about, oh, all kinds of things. And on those difficult days of stretching my physical limitations far beyond their comfort, well, those thoughts are for another time. Once at camp for the night, I'd strap on my headlamp and try to journal a few thoughts. Looking at that journal now, there are some areas in my life I want real change for this next year.

• Choose wisely the people that share my life

• Make experiences a priority over possessions

• Meditate, reflect, and exercise to some extent every day

• Safeguard the mind, allowing only the thoughts that are productive to linger there

• Let go, completely let go, of circumstances out of my control

• Smile at as many people as possible throughout the day

• Do one random act of kindness each day

• Don't waste time on negative thoughts or people

• For every negative thought or word, think about or say three positive things that are related

• Learn one new thing every day - vocabulary word, historical fact, etc..

• Make sure those who are important to me know that I love them daily

Yes, these are good for me, and I would love to think about this all more, but my eyes are growing heavy from the lack of sleep over the last eight days, and the humming of the plane's engine is calling me to a short nap. If only the plane would keep flying and land in another exotic corner of the world. How strange it is that this home-body, Oklahoma girl is not ready to be on Oklahoma soil yet. Yes, change is in the air. If only I knew what that means for 2016 and the days, weeks, and months ahead....