As I was driving to the airport, I talked with my friend Jan (hi, Jan!!!) about my intentions for this trip. Oh, how I love setting intentions these days. There's such magic in speaking into being what I most desire. Then, in reflection, wonder about the miracles that have unfolded after completely forgetting I'd set the intentions.
Let's add some bonus material:
I'm convinced there's even more power in the written word, so I'm using this blog to be clear about what I want to happen in these next two weeks AND will report on what actually happened. Sound good to you?
In the weeks leading up to this trip, I was caught up in my daily tasks along with the added ones in preparing for this institute. I forgot I was going to be having an adventure.
Oh, I knew I was going to be heading to Ireland, but I was focusing on the wrong things (more about that in a little bit). When someone would say, "Are you looking forward to your vacation?" I felt a need to set them straight: this is a WORKcation, not a VAcation. I am in Ireland because it is an educational program that I chose (not that wording) to be a part of. I forgot that, too.
And I started feeling resentful... you see, I don't get paid anything for participating in this institute. I DO get my flight reimbursed, my lodging, many meals and most of the traveling within the country taken care of. But it's extra work at a time that I'm already stretched. So THAT's what I started focusing on and why I was becoming resentful.
And I was reflecting on that with Jan as I was driving Emma to Mollie's. (Are there enough NAMES in that sentence!?!) Jan asked me a pivotal question.
Which lead me to my intentions... I'd better write them before I go further into the story. These are my intentions for this trip:
1. To ask for, notice and be grateful for the magic, wonder and miracles that unfold before me and around me for the next two weeks.
2. To nourish ME for this time.
3. To draw to me "Bruno".
(Can you tell it was time for a real shift in awareness?!)
Yesterday morning, I talked to Mollie about the resentment and she commented on how toxic it can get. I told her that I'd had a conversation with my colleague, Ted, about the trip and was struck by how much he does (and he doesn't get paid for it either). He said something that made me realize that he does it out of a complete knowing how tied to his PURPOSE the trips are. I heard myself being negative and mid-sentence started shifting, thanks to her comment.
I've been forgetting to remind myself of my purpose.
In that moment, I decided to return to WHY I AM HERE (or at least why I THINK I'm here on this planet) and use that as the measure and payment for what I am doing. Wow!
So, THANK YOU Jan! THANK YOU, Mollie! I know I would be able to have this epiphany if it weren't for the two of you. My trip is already better!
The first miracle I noticed was yesterday morning in that shift. They started coming quickly after that.
The next one I noticed was how I started becoming aware of the significance of this sore throat and subsequent "loss of voice". I became clear that it has everything to do with having felt resentful.
Then, because I was afraid I had strep throat, Mollie made a phone call to her doctor friend, Catherine, and off we went to the office with only minutes to spare between then and having to hit the road toward the airport. We got to the office just as the last patient was leaving. Catherine asked how we got past her receptionist and Mollie played the friend card, "because I bullied her!" A quick exam then quick strep test showed NO STREP! I didn't realize how worried about it I was until I felt so RELIEVED to hear it! We were out of the office just as the next patient was walking in the door.
Are you keeping track of the miracles? I think there are 3-4 in that last paragraph!
So, on the way to the airport, I got a call from the airline that my flight was slightly delayed. I had been worried I wouldn't have enough time to get there, lug all my bags in, check in, go through security, etc. I DID, however, ask my Guides for help with all this. (Thanks, you guys!)
The flights were uneventful. I went through the Detroit airport for the first time, met a very friendly college student from India who had been studying in Canada and was heading home for the first time in 4 years to see his parents. His excitement was catching.
Me in the Detroit airport.
Didn't sleep much on the plane. I read John Diamond's book, The Body Doesn't Lie, which has given me some terrific ideas (more magic!) for the energy experiments I use in presentations on Complementary & Alternative Therapies.
And in the Paris, Charles De Gaulle airport.
Landed in Paris, feeling like a jet-setter. My experience of the trip was already changing. Unfortunately, my voice has gotten hoarser and hoarser. ("INTERESTING"I can hear Amy saying.)
Isn't the phrase, "lost your voice" a curious one? It has literal and metaphorical meanings.
Where and how do you FIND your voice if you've "lost" it?
It was so easy to go through passport control and customs, then pick up my bag that I was out before I realized I was. I almost went back inside, thinking I'd missed something.
The taxi ride was much more expensive than I thought it would be. (I was expecting 15 Euro and it was 42!) And it took longer to get to Trinity College than I remembered.
In the cab. The driver IS on the RIGHT side of the car, instead of the left...
The driver wasn't very talkative, but drove me right up through the college (it's generally closed to traffic) and deposited me at the door to the Accommodations office.
Next to the accommodations office is the chapel, where a wedding was starting. By the time I checked in, unpacked my bags, showered and started off again, it was over. The bride and groom drove off in a really cool RED Mercedes. How FUN!
I AM IN IRELAND!
It's sinking in.
One of the things I knew I needed to do was walk. My feet were really swollen from sitting, so I donned my running shoes and started off to a grocery store (Lidl) I found out about last year from one of the students who works in the accommodations office. Students always ferret out the most inexpensive places to buy food, and this one is a little bit of a hike, which is what I needed.
Aren't grocery stores the great cultural mixing bowl? Everyone has to buy groceries at some point. This one draws such a variety of people. Last year, I remember watching people as they checked out. Russians, Indians, Irish, English, American, and other languages I didn't even recognize being spoken while people waited in line.
It's only about 10pm here -- still light out -- but I'm ready to sleep.
Tomorrow, I return to the airport to meet one of my new colleagues, Narketta, so I can show her where to greet students on Monday, since I'm going to be at the first-ever Dublin Rock & Roll half-marathon.
My intentions?
1. To ask for, notice and be grateful for the magic, wonder and miracles that unfold before me and around me.
2. To nourish ME.
Oh, and to pick up my race packet. (You never know who you'll meet at the expo!)
In MW&M,
Suzan
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