Happy Luau

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Yes, I'm Back!


Hello, everyone, I'm back! No, I did NOT decide to just stay in Hawaii! Not this time. I've been back for about 10 days, but have been scurrying around taking care of the business of being gone for so long. And other drama that comes up in my life now and again...

I am leaving early tomorrow to fly to Houston and then drive to a little town in Texas called Nacogdoches to see my stepdaughter graduate from college and will be back Sunday. It's a whirlwind visit for my whirlwind life. But it actually will be a blessed relief, because for most of the time I will get to just sit back and relax and do what is right before me instead of scurrying and multitasking. Nothing will be within my control, so I will just go with the flow.

There are a bijillion reasons why this trip is stressful and "should" be difficult (mostly the usual dysfunctional family things, plus tight deadlines and bad food and long drives and...being in Texas). However, my perspective is not on the stress, but the singlemindedness of the beguiling challenge to let go and stay present---that is ALL I have to do and ALL I really CAN do...plus I'm getting a break in the hectic action of my life and am pleased about it!

I have lots to share and to fill you in on, including Be Brave things, Kim's Love Rocks, and more. But I wanted to pop by here before you thought I'd vanished to the Land of Aloha. TTYS, O

11 comments:

Kim Mailhot said...

Nice to know you are back ! Can't wait to hear about your Aloha adventures. Hopefully, your Texas trip with the short and less eventful than you think !
Welcome home !

thailandchani said...

I'm glad you are back, too! :) Hope this weekend is smooth for you with as little drama as possible.



~*

patti said...

Welcome back Olivia!

Leah said...

welcome back, olivia!! xoxo

Unknown said...

I've missed you! Glad you're back!
Have a good trip.

Rick Hamrick said...

The power present in that statement takes my breath away: "...my perspective is not on the stress, but the single-mindedness of the beguiling challenge to let go and stay present---that is ALL I have to do and ALL I really CAN do..."

Holy cow, O! You have hit the home run of coming to peace with yourself.

I know you said it in reference to this particular situation, but the truth in it goes far beyond just Texas, or just bad food (I'll bet some in Nacogdoches would dispute that one--try the Cotton Patch restaurant).

All any of us can hope to accomplish in the area of personal happiness and a joy in living is to let go, open our hearts to what's directly in front of us, and know it is all we have any direct influence upon.

You said it much more clearly than I did, Olivia.

I hope your trip proves ten times as fun as your low expectations!

NicciN said...

Glad you are back. Wishing you as drama free of a trip as possible. Take good care.

Angela said...

Have a great trip, O! You've been missed.

Kelly said...

Welcome back, Olivia. I am eager to hear how the trip to Texas goes, and being in the present as much of the time as you remember. Wonderful plan. :) Love xoxo K

Jane said...

Hi Olivia!

That looks like some gorgeous scenary! Glad you're back!

Jane

Olivia said...

Thank you, everyone! I am back from my trip and doing well. I'm going to blog about my amazing trip...and my interesting return...xxoo to all, O