Boarding Passes, Please.

Some days, you just need someone to talk to. To hear you out. To offer counsel that sounds both brilliant and completely do-able.

I’m blessed with some precious friends like that. They possess that rare trifecta of heart, smarts and guts that makes them irreplaceable!

I had breakfast with one of them recently - a college friend who travels the globe as a VP for a Fortune 500 company. Married. Two children. Whip-smart.

She shared eggs and pancakes with me as I 'verbally processed' a situation.

I always feel a bit like I’ve had a visit with Condoleezza Rice after a talk with her. I leave with notes. She’s that good.

Our conversation eventually turned to business. She works in the travel industry, and commented that morning that “some of our customers are tourists – while others are travelers.”

Ohhhh…that struck me!

Look around: you're aware of the people in your life that will only dip their tippy-toes into experiences with you, and intentionally remain amateurs in terms of handling, helping, loving you…they are tourists.

I’m not saying these folks can’t be a blessing in some ways – you must simply manage your expectations.

Travelers in your life, however, are much more intentional. They are found asking questions, spending time - time after time - sinking their hooks into a richer experience for themselves and for memories with you. Actually knowing you more and more. 

It occurred to me that it’s easy to pass through this life – or at least a decade or more of it – with ‘tourist’ lightly written across own foreheads, too.

Somehow, we're not “all-in” in areas that we want to be.

From planning a party to real intimacy (emotional or otherwise!), as a ‘tourist,’ you merely get by. You do enough to avoid overly negative consequences, yet you’re very, very far from a medal.

You will get to the end of the race, as it were, but perhaps only because time ran out. Not because you ever saw the finish line.

As a tourist, you’re found ignoring the joy-filled, creative, adventurous side of yourself and just going through the motions.  

It’s easier in general to coast this way, but let’s be honest - we need a big kick in the butt, or we're going to miss our sweet lives.

How To Know When You’re In Tourist Mode:

There’s no spice, and precious few crazy-wonderful memories are being made. You’re just buying (and selling) souvenirs of a life half-lived with which to clutter your shelves when you’re old.

The ‘tourist vs. traveler’ conversation with my friend left me both encouraged and convicted.

It gave me the gift of a moment to step back and think afresh…about where I’m doing well (whew! ok!) and where I need to dig in and DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

We must stop waiting for 'something to happen' before making a change. WE are that something. We must happen. 

Look in the mirror today, smile and think 'traveler.' How does that translate in your life? 


It's the weekend - no better time to get to where you want to be. Wheels up, y'all!


Love,
-Melinda

Photo Credit: Nancy Falconi/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images