Looking back: looking forward

Exactly one year ago my family packed up our house and took off to Europe for three months. I find myself thinking a lot about the trip, about our experiences, about how much we have done in the past twelve months and where I find myself today.

The trip was life-changing. Certainly for my daughters, they now have a deeper understanding of the world, of opportunities. They have made connections with places and people, and we all speak about reconnecting with those we care about, be that friends, old or new, the farm in Languedoc or the market in Paris, and we know that we will be returning. It is not a question of "if," only "when."

For me, the trip was about taking a break for the status quo, pressing pause on my work, my career, exploring other ways of being, and perhaps testing the waters for an alternative lifestyle. I did bring some of that back home with me. My garden is blooming and growing with flowers and vegetables. I spent Easter recreating it to reflect the Italian gardens we saw. We eat more simply, good breads and cheeses, fresh local fruit and veg.  My life is as busy as before, with all the demands of work and parenting and money, but the stress has slipped away. Maybe it is because I have a richer perspective now. I don't have the two hour lunches and siestas we had in the Midi and Tuscany, but I do take more time for myself. I try to fit in walks, runs, friends, writing and painting, cooking and gardening, time with my daughters. These are the things that are important.

And so I look forward. To living simply. To sharing this mode de vie with others. To planning trips and overseas experiences for my daughters and for myself . . . in time. I am in no rush to head off again, but rather I will consciously work to create a better life here, now. I am asking myself how can I enrich my life. By developing community - in my neighbourhood, among friends, among colleagues, at school, in Victoria. By growing myself - looking after my body, my mind, my spirit. By getting involved - in local issues and organizations. By living every day like I am on holiday - taking advantage of each moment, of opportunities, of relishing experiences and of appreciating every one I meet, at least as much as I can.

And if I can live this way, living each day fully and with appreciation, taking time for myself and for others, all good things will follow and I will have no regrets.