money

If money were no object....

But is it an object?  Or is it only an object if you make it an object?

I arrived back home recently from a yoga retreat in Tulum, Mexico.  Blissful.  It was an amazing week that provided clarity and empowerment, and a whole lot of self reflection.

It crossed my mind that Chris and I could live in a simple home on the beach and be content.  What would you need money for?  The necessities like food.  Perhaps a surfboard, a yoga mat, and a kite surfing set up.  But in all reality, it could be done with little money.

Chris and I both have jobs that we adore, and although our combined income is far less than most people's, we are happy.  Friends sometimes insinuate that Chris is still a ski patroller at the spring chicken age of 40.  Yes he is.  It is what he loves.  And it is the quality of life over a large paycheck.

We do not need fancy cars. 

We do not need a large house.  Even when we brushed on the idea of having children (don't get excited, it is not happening mom), we figured we would have the baby in our walk in closet.  It didn't need an entire room for itself just yet.  Having smaller spaces can also cause creativity of the mind (furniture rearranging, interior design ideas to maximize space) and can spur on adventure (sleeping in a tent in your yard when you have guests).

And all of that, to us, is worth more than what money can buy.

Don't get me wrong, those who know me know that I enjoy a new yoga tank every now and again and take full advantage of other material items if on sale.  Those who also know me, know that I am trying to cut back on purchases because really, I could go shopping in my very own closet.  It's amazing what I have hanging on hangers that I forgot about. 

I could type for days about this topic.  Yet what I have concluded is that it is really what YOU value.  Some friends wonder why we won't go out for drinks or simply pack our own lunches when we go skiing - all those little things that add up.  Because we know those things add up.  FAST.  And those things are less valuable to us, then the endless opportunities of what we could do with the money we save over time (ah hem.... TRAVEL).  We value traveling and creating our own memories.  We value a simple cup of coffee at home and the coziness it presents.  We value breathing the air in while cross country skiing.  And spending time with each other as opposed to grinding away at a 60 + hour a week job.  Those are the little things in life that are the most important to us.

Clearly those things we value (especially travel) require money.  Therefore it has to be an object of some sort to us.  So perhaps this is the real question:  What do you value?  How much of an object is money to you?  What emphasis does it have on your life?

So if money was no object at all, what would you do?  I found this video through YogaScapes.  It got my brain thinking.  Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L_cGjQSR80

traveling

the title of this post says it all.  My love.  My passion.  My blood.  My cravings.  My family.  Adventure.  Endeavors.  Exploration.  Knowledge.  Culture. 

Traveling is always on my brain.  There are SO MANY PLACES to see and experience.  Yet I will say, I always love coming back home.  To the mountains.  Home is my happy place too.  I came across this today and it resonated with me:

I have been asked before how I can afford to travel.  Surely, it must cost a fortune.  Or not.... it is what you make of it.  You can definitely be a traveler on a shoestring.  For example, when Chris and I were in Venice, we took the "traghetto" across the canal.  It cost 50 CENTS.  OR, you can take a gondola ride.  Cost = at least 100 euros, plus tip.  On our traghetto ride, an Italian man in his striped shirt paddled us across the canal and he even sang a song.  Italian culture at it's best.  Don't get me wrong - the traghetto ride is merely just to get you across the canal, so it lasts about 3 minutes as opposed to an hour long gondola ride.  Yet when we sat on the canal eating pizza, we noticed a lot of gondola "drivers" using their cell phones.  It all depends on what you like.... personally, I like the simple pleasures. 

Yes I admit, my parents help out with my travels from time to time as well, but it is because they know what it means to me and to us as a family.  One of my brothers live in Australia, the other in Germany.  I'd be lucky to see my brothers once a year, if not, once every 2 years.  I've lived in France, in New Zealand and have Canadian citizenship (thanks, Dad!).  My parents have a place in Paris.  Need I say more?  It's in my blood (and I think it is rubbing off on Chris too!).

I've done some of my best soul searching while traveling.  My own best self reflection.  And by no means do you need to travel internationally.  Look what we have just hours away OR at our fingertips.  From our home, we could hike in and camp near lakes, in the mountains.  Or skin up a mountain and ski down.  That's just as much of an opportunity to self reflect as a plane ticket to Asia.

Last but not least, traveling could be expensive.  If you let it be.  OR you could buy your ticket to Australia, paint a house, pick apples, or some other "under the table" job, make enough money for your plane ticket to your next destination.  All the while, making friends and crashing on their couches, etc, etc, etc.... you make it work.  If you think about it, you could truly be a nomad with no pay check.  I once considered it - a decade ago.  Maybe I will reconsider when I retire in our volkswagon van.  :)

Next up:  Tulum.  A yoga retreat.  Talk about self reflection.  And did I mention I will be surrounded by some of the coolest people on earth?  Travel.  Whether it be to the nearest hiking trail or across the globe.  If you think about all of the logistics and risks that come with it, you are missing out.  It's the one thing in life you should not miss out on.

love

meet Chloe Cameron.  our adorable little barn cat.  She still gets scared of a lot of things, but is warming up to us faster than we ever imagined.  LOVE.