Hi Friend
I’m sitting on my flight heading out of Madrid. It’s 6:30a Madrid time, 11:30p OKC time. It’s been quite a memorable excursion. Last I wrote you, we had been in Paris briefly. That experience just got better and better. On Monday night we flew back to Madrid. It’s not Paris, but it is definitely a fun city.
My son was over here for two months in 2020 before COVID hit. He fell in love with the subway system and decided he wanted to live some place without a car. He’s now in Chicago. I get it. It’s so convenient and easy to get around. Above ground, Madrid has fabulous streets, plaza’s and eateries.
I personally love all the side streets. They are one way, lined with colorful, old apartments sometimes with trees and sometimes randomly turning into a plaza with benches. I literally walked and walked and walked just to go down these streets. Some of them felt like alleys while others felt like secrete passage ways.
I’m not sure why I love them so much, but I do. I suspect they create a sense of adventure; Like I’m off the beaten path and onto unchartered pathways that lead to local-only destinations.
UNCOMMON
There is something deep inside of me that yearns for an uncommon existence. I resist the main thoroughfares. I want my life to be filled with side roads excursions that may or may not lead to somewhere spectacular. I really do love the journey more than the destination. Being alive today actually is the destination, so how I live fully in it achieves both.
For both my kids, having a study-abroad experience (though Lincoln’s was truncated) magnifies the value of the journey. In our day-to-day lives, how do we consciously elevate the journey? I know when I think of goals/desires/dreams – destinations – it can be disheartening when they still seem so far off. That could be another reason I’ve come to value the journey so sacredly.
ART of HEART
Lainey and I visited several museums. The enormous variety of expressions deemed art is fascinating. I was captivated by several paintings. However, some of their descriptions were even more imaginative. I saw colors and images, that were cool, but the way the were described was specific, meaningful and in detail.
Our lives are a work of art. Others see us and get an impression or are sometimes moved. However, the story we have about ourselves, our choices, our efforts, our intentions are much more nuanced in heart. Our calling is to bring that beauty from within out into the world to be of service and make an impact.
The value of such a life may not be recognized in real time. Be assured the artistry of your journey is of great worth!
Instigating Ideas…
1. Go down a side street of life.
2. Look at art, longer than comfortable.
3. Evaluate how you value journey/destination.
4. Applaud someone for their unique expressions.
The world is big and small. You and I are big and small. Venturing out beyond our normal boundaries and familiar routines reveals both about us. How people navigated the world before smart phones is impressive. Not speaking the language and not understanding fundamental cultural expectations is intimidating. Thankfully I survived. So have you.
NEW WORLD
We just have to stay alive long enough to experience a new world in old spaces. New beliefs, norms, language and values evolve beyond, beside and in spite of us. It can be challenging to navigate… and exciting.
Last night Lainey and I went to the oldest Flamenco show in Spain. It was compelling. The precision and execution was astounding, particularly because I could never find the down beat. It’s like jazz on acid. Yet the graceful intensity left no doubt these dancers were excellent in keep tradition alive.
There’s something unique about being rooted in historical integrity while pressing forward within new reality.
My hope is that this week you will venture out and value deeply the journey.
