Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned

When we break our regular routine we start to experience new thoughts, ideas and awarenesses. This 3 month sabbatical from the everyday has given us that opportunity for which we are extremely grateful for.  Here's some things we picked up along the way.

1. It's OK to get upset..........if you are willing to look at it.

2. If given a chance, people will constantly surprise you with their tremendous capacity for compassion and love.

3. Anger can be the front door to many future blessings.

4. Fear can be a powerful window to look through for  personal growth opportunities.

5. Love is a really scary thing, until it's not.

6. Letting Go has the potential to be fun and exciting...........it's our choice.

7. Life has an unlimited series of lessons to learn.......and then some.

8. Decisions based solely on money can be very paralyzing.

9. Allowing for change is not the same as giving up.

10. Letting new people into your life can be very exciting.

11. Once you feel like you have the answer is when you'll have the opportunity to know you don't.

12. Life is not a part-time position.

13. Listening to the body takes a lot of awareness.

14. I find it much easier to blame others than to accept my own truth.

15. Accepting the gift of life is opitonal.

16. It can get pretty dark before dawn.

17. Tomorrow is not an answer.

18. Living in the NOW is a full-time opportunity.

19. Oneness is a very difficult concept to understand until we surrender to it.

20. Magic and Miracles are the true M&Ms of life.

21. Happiness can have many disguises.

22. Being Alone is not the same as Loneliness.

23. Living life is so much more fun than reading about someone else's.

24. It's so much easier to see faults in others than owing up to my own.

25. The heart is very vulnerable but even more elastic.

26. It's OK to live your passions.

27. Looking is not the same as living.

28. Excuses can tell a lot.

29.  Giving ourselves Permission to be Happy...............is a really big first step toward fulfillment.

30. Everyday has awakenings.

31. Our thoughts are very magnetic in nature.

32.  Love is more fun when used as a verb.

33. Limiting thoughts over time can create a very small life.

34. Firsts can really be fun.

35. Allowing for new experiences can be contagious.

36. Don't let someone else lead your band.

37. Just fitting in is not really very fulfilling.

38, Trying to impress others leaves no impression.

39. Sharing multiples the happiness of any experience.

40. Being cautious can be a cover-up for being scared.

41. Moving forward is always optional.

42. Change is something we are really good at encouraging others to do.

43, Would you buy your own autobiography ?

44. Happiness is not spelled with a ? mark.

45. Who decides for you what to do?

46. It's never to late to change your thoughts.

47. Being predictable is not necessarily a strength.

48. Letting go of control is not the same as being out of control.

49.  Asking questions often leads to understanding what we already know.

50.  Talking a good story is not as much fun as living one.








3 Months-3 Continents-12 Countries-40 Cities

The Summer of 2013

Here is a highlight photo from each of the 12 countries we journeyed through this summer.  Our trip created so many wonderful memories and life lessons as we experienced each of the countries. What an amazing summer !!!!!!!!



Summer of 2013




England


Buckingham Palace- Changing of the Guard





France


Eiffel Tower- Paris




Spain


Sagrada Familia- Barcelona





Portugal

Fatima Church




Morocco


The Market- Marrakesh





Monaco


Monte Carlo





Switzerland



Swiss Alps- Jungfraujoch




Austria


Summer Palace- Vienna




Hungary


Parliament Building on the Danube River- Budapest




Czech Republic



Clock Tower- Prague




Belgium


Church along the Canal - Bruges 



Holland


Tree Lined Canals of Holland



We would like to profoundly thank all the people who supported us on this trip.  It was an amazing journey..........we truly didn't know if we could pull out of the "everyday world" for 3 months..........we did and we're so glad we did.  We learned a lot about ourselves, each other and the world we live in. We were gifted with the opportunity to meet some amazing people along the way that added some real enchantment and new perspectives.

We'll return to Des Moines, Iowa now to process our lessons and to plan for Phase Two of our journey around the world.  Thanks for checking in with us through our blog and for cheering us on. 

Much Love and Happiness to Everyone

Namaste

Renee and Denny 
















Messages Along The Way

MESSAGES

Along the journey the last 3 months there were all kinds of messages that popped up.   Each one at exactly the right time.

It's funny sometimes how the messages appear or who delivers them to us........but always right on the money.














































































































































































Listen Closely To What Life Has To Share With You

Denny and Renee

Monday, August 26, 2013

Belgium To Holland: ePowered



Belgium to Holland: ePowered

"Thank You" technology..........today we rode electric bikes from Bruges, Belgium to Sluis, Holland.

You still have the workings of a regular bike but you're assisted with a small electric engine that helps with additional speed and any rough terrain.  Makes the whole bike experience much easier and enjoyable on long rides.

Renee had never been to Holland so having her first visit come on a bike was fun.   The weather was great and we were blessed with ideal conditions for the ride.  The other thing is that the whole journey was along a beautiful tree lined canal dotted with windmills, small communities and blooming flowers.

Sluis, Holland was a real delight.......fantastic shops, food and casual environment.



The Day Started With a Belgium Waffle Breakfast- They Love To Put Ice Cream On Things.........I Didn't Fight It!!!!!

Secret Weapon- Amazing How The Small Electric Motor Behind The Seat Takes All The Strain Out of Riding

It's Not Holland Without the Windmills

Beautiful Tree Lined Canal Between Belgium and Holland

Meticulous Landscaping

Gooding Looking Belgium Corn Crop

Sometimes You're Just Not Sure Which Way To Turn !!!!!

Sluis, Holland

Happy Girl With Her Steamed Mussels-Cold Beer- Side of Fries
Holland and Belgium are the acclaimed mussel-eating centers of the world.

Canal Weed Cleaner

Canal Crossing Ferry-Human Powered

Holland By Bike


Today is a good excuse to Celebrate


Denny and Renee