EXPERIENCES

As I move through this journey called life, I have come to the conclusion that life is all about experiences.  In other words, if you don't have any experiences in life then why are you here?  I recently went to Italy with my family for our summer vacation and the experience was surreal.  From the culture, food, wine and the Italian people, it was amazing.  In addition, I did not see any homeless people or trash.   I'm not naive to think that Italy is a perfect country.  I'm sure that under the hood they have their own problems but, as far as my experience was concerned it was memorable.  We visited Rome, Amalfi, Positano, Salerno, Isernia and Miranda.  From large, populated cities like Rome to tiny mountain side villages like Miranda.  The common denominator was how friendly and welcoming the people were.  There was a sense of pride among the Italian people that I have never felt before.  I am so grateful for that experience.  I felt a sense of belonging.  Not because it was a new location that I haven't visited before but because I felt a connection to the busy, lifestyle in Rome yet calming, safe, creative, stimulating environment.  I had to remind myself of the value in my life of such an experience.  Isn't this what life is all about, the accumulation of experiences? 
 I was taken back to my younger years where I decided to relocate From NYC to Florida all by myself.  I quickly learned that leaving my comfort zone was a necessary component of my life at that time.  I can now see the value that experience had in my life leading me to where I am today.  Being a free spirit able to walk away from your comfort to enter a new realm of the unknown is what it's all about.  That is what makes life meaningful.  I can't stop thinking about my siblings, with the exception of an older brother, they have never left NYC.  The sibling that did move out of NYC, shortly thereafter returned to where he was most comfortable.  I am not judging him in a negative way because I understand we are all different.  I'm also not advocating that we should all just pack up and leave for a new destination.  What I am hoping the reader will get from this article is that life is all about experiences.  Some experiences are pleasant some not so.  But still, that's life.  Sometimes we have to make the choice to leave what we're most comfortable with in order to grow.  It really is all about choices.  I believe that most individuals get stuck in a rut because of fear of the unknown.  We all have this devil with a pitchfork on our shoulder scaring us to death of making a move.  We can control that fear.  We must understand that we are in control of our decisions, not that metaphorical, imaginary devil that we created in our mind with a pitchfork.  So go out there and live your life to the fullest.  What is the worst thing that can happen?  You can always turn around and return to your previous life or location as my older brother did.  You are more powerful than you think.  I leave you with a quote on point.  "You have power over your mind-not outside events.  Realize this, and you will find strength."  Marcus Aurelius.
  Just a thought.  
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