Coming Home

Quote of the day: ““Travel does not exist without home….If we never return to the place we started, we would just be wandering, lost. Home is a reflecting surface, a place to measure our growth and enrich us after being infused with the outside world.”
― Josh Gates, Destination Truth: Memoirs of a Monster Hunter

Looking out the window of my “home” in Hawaii – the day I left

I came home from my Hawaii winter walk-about last week. For two and a half months I soaked up the climate and the scents and the experiences of the Big Island. I met people. I explored. I made photographs.  And I moved outside my normal comfort zone and through that I learned about myself. I explored my edges and broadened my world.

I sat in meditation. I practiced Chi Gung. I attempted to live with presence, grace and awareness.

The chair in the Zendo where I sat for meditation

Then one day, I knew it was time to come home. It was just time.

During my walk-about many people asked me how long I was going to stay in Hawaii. I couldn’t answer them because I didn’t know.  I had an end date in mind, but it was just an idea and I knew that I would know when I was done, but not before.

Just before leaving for the airport to come home

I met several people during my travels who appeared to be at home in the world. One woman had sold most of her belongings and her home and traveled the world since 2002. She spent several years doing service in India, and after her short vacation in Hawaii was heading back to John of God’s healing center in Brazil to act as a spiritual guide (where she had spent the past 3 winters).

She seemed at home wherever she was, to carry a sense of home in her heart so that she did not need a physical place to call home.

I am not like that. As much as I immersed myself in my Hawaiian experience and enjoyed my time there, it was not my home. I could make it my home if I chose to, but I don’t choose to. I like my home in Minnesota. I love the lakes and the trees and the seasons.

Winter wonderland I woke up to the morning after my return to Minnesota

I missed my husband while I was away. I missed the life we created together. I missed my community of friends. I missed my comfortable bed. I missed the sanctuary I call home.

Home

I am coming home enriched and infused with the lessons I learned in Hawaii. I have over 15,000 photos to work through and select those worth editing and printing.

I have grown a trust in myself and in right timing. During my time in Hawaii I saw time and time again how I did not need to push to make things happen. I could relax and wait until the moment felt right. Coming home, I continue to trust that my life unfolds in perfect timing.

You will see many more photos and hear more stories from my Hawaii walk-about, as I reflect on the journey and work on the photographs I made there.

May you experience trust that your life unfolds in perfect timing and may your home bring you joy and a place of sanctuary.

Me on the deck morning after returning to Minnesota