Since leaving my job on my sabbatical, the goal was to travel the world, primarily in the Southern Hemisphere since it is summer time December through March. And as a native American, many would just leave the United States out of the itinerary. However, with the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays a month apart, I decided not to travel too far away from the United States so I could be home for both holidays with my family. And since I had the time, I planned out a road trip to visit with my very best friends and family.
WE CHOOSE THE COMPANY WE KEEP
My road trip turned out to be one of the most fulfilling parts of my journey thus far. I was able to catch up with all of the people that mattered the most to me in my life. I am not someone to keep many close friends. But the friends and family that I do keep mean the most to me in life. We can’t choose our family but we can choose the company we keep! And I am thankful to be surrounded by a group of people that are caring, supportive, empowering and beautiful both inside and outside! As we get older, our lives change and it becomes more difficult to carve out time to see our family and friends. And it was great for my soul to be able to see the people that have touched my life in many ways!
ROAD TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Dancing the night away in Chicago, Illinois, at a good friend’s 50th birthday.
- Brunching and family time with my cousin and very good friend in Chicago. And then a fun night out which included meting some great new friends.
- Receiving advice on how to leave your job gracefully from a friend of mine who has left her job to start up here own business. Taking notes for the future!
- Having more family time in Indianapolis, Indiana, with to two of my very best friends (one from college and a roommate from New York) and their young families. Uncle Cory time is the best.
- Catching up with one of my most spiritual friends in Birmingham, Alabama, as her boyfriend was having a hip replacement.
- Crossing off my 45th state (Mississippi) from the bucket list goal of visiting all 50 states before 40 years old. Five more to go (Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, New Mexico, and Alaska).
- Staying in one of my favorite places in the U.S. – St. Petersburg, Florida – with another best friend and seeing many friends I haven’t seen in a while.
- Lunching and having a very healing conversation with my Aunt and Uncle who I haven’t seen in a very long time.
- Meeting some beautiful souls in Costa Rica with a good friend of mine from New York.
- Reconnecting with a great friend of mine that I lived with in New York (the first time I lived in the city) and his beautiful new family. So happy for my friend and his partner as they open this next chapter in their lives. And was also meeting a new friend who I was very excited to meet!
- Having an impromptu dinner in Indianapolis, Indiana, with one of my best friends from college who I have now been friends with for over 20 years.
- Arriving home just in time for Christmas. To be there on Christmas morning to see the amazement on my niece and nephew’s face as they saw the presents under the tree. My niece woke me up and said, “Uncle Cory, Santa was here!”
FIND TIME FOR THE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE THAT YOU CARE FOR MOST
Life isn’t about the physical items we own or the job title we have or the amount of money in our bank account or even the places we travel to. Life is about connecting with the souls we were meant to connect with during our short stay on this earthly planet. Make the most of the time that you do have. Connect with loved ones that you care about. Reconnect with those that you haven’t spoken with in a while. This road trip and my global trek is more than a physical journey to see beautiful parts of the world. This trip is more about a spiritual and healing journey that we typically don’t take time to do. You don’t need months, weeks, days or hours to hug or phone your close friends and family. Find the small moments that you are able to find and make it happen. Your soul will be thankful.
Would love to hear from you. What kind of “road trip” are you on?
I am on the most personal journey of reconciliation and adventure through a new lifestyle of my design, reducing complex life themes into simple moments in time of appreciation. I have started a blog, and desire to write books.