We talk a lot about traveling to some place, planning a journey, going on an adventure and experiencing something new – but, we don’t spend a lot of time on the re-entry. Sure, we all mention it as the jet-lag from a cross-country journey or the ‘back to work’ exhaustion after a fabulous trip, but re-entry is something altogether different. Somehow, after a life-changing experience, you return to the place you live, the job you have, the friends you’ve made and the day to day thoughts and activities of old, but something is very different. You think others have changed. Actions seem different and something, you don’t quite know what, is amiss. Eventually, you figure out, the different is you. You’re still the same person on the outside, but you are inherently changed.
Sometimes, we have this same experience without leaving the post code, state or country. Whether by force or by choice, many venture on a journey of discovery that involves more the use of an internal passport than a tangible one. A girlfriend takes up running and it becomes a force in her life that completely changes her thought patterns. Dad takes up cycling and has a crew to ride with regularly. You take a class that changes your thinking or read a book on philosophy and meditation that sends you on a journey searching for new amidst the old.
A friend of mine (who happens to be a therapist) believes in the ‘coke machine’ theory. When our actions and reactions become different, those close to us don’t know why. Perhaps our newfound perspective develops over time. Perhaps we don’t even have the reasons for it yet or fully understand the changes involved. Perhaps our world view becomes bigger, we’re finding more balance, learning new things and changing our attitudes. When those on the outside can visually see the changes, it’s one story. New puppy, new family, new house, a move, a shift, a crisis – those milestones and moments are visible to the others in our lives. But what happens when you can’t outwardly see the changes? It’s almost as if that travel re-entry is taking place at home. Same person, different outlook. Now what? Does your old tribe still fit? Can you find a way to meld the new you with your old?
“Life is only as good as your mindset” – unknown
Your journey takes you in different directions, introduces you to new people, various mindsets, divergent viewpoints and other ways of life. That re-entry happens daily as you find ways to work your old tribe into the new, figure out the twists and turns of this new path and cultivate the new your without losing the parts of the old you’d like to keep. Somehow, the experience that takes you out of your comfort zone feels awful and exhilarating at the same time. This organic growth process changes your brain, frustrates you and livens your spirit simultaneously.
“No matter where you are in your journey, you are exactly where you need to be” -Oprah Winfrey
For some of us the adventure continues over months, years and even decades. For others, who follow more of the ‘rip off the bandaid’ method, it’s quick. No matter whether the road you’re on takes you across oceans and continents or you remain within your same four walls, you’re taking a trip and the re-entry process is real. Whether you’re diving into yoga, taking up robotics, learning to paint, becoming more active, trying acupuncture, taking on a new sport, writing poetry or have decided to quit your job and travel the world – you’re on your way, you’re changing, you’re growing and somewhere, along the way, you’re bound to figure out what’s important to the you of today, what makes your spirit soar and how this present version of you chooses to see the world. The journey isn’t easy – but it’s definitely worth it!
“It always seems impossible until it’s done” – Nelson Mandela
Where has your journey taken you? I’d love to hear your story.
Oh the Places You’ll Go! – by Dr. Seuss
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.
You’ll look up and down streets. Look ’em over with care.
About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.”
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you’re too smart to go down any not-so-good street.
And you may not find any
you’ll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you’ll head straight out of town.
It’s opener there
in the wide open air.
Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.
And then things start to happen,
don’t worry. Don’t stew.
Just go right along.
You’ll start happening too.
OH!
THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!
You’ll be on y our way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.
You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.
You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Except when you don’t.
Because, sometimes, you won’t.
I’m sorry to say so
but, sadly, it’s true
that Bang-ups
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.
You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You’ll be left in a Lurch.
You’ll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you’ll be in a Slump.
And when you’re in a Slump,
you’re not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.
You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they’re darked.
A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?
And IF you go in, should you turn left or right…
or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.
You can get so confused
that you’ll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles cross weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place…
…for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or the waiting around for a Yes or No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for the wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.
NO!
That’s not for you!
Somehow you’ll escape
all that waiting and staying
You’ll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.
With banner flip-flapping,
once more you’ll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you’re that kind of a guy!
Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. There are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You’ll be as famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.
Except when they don’t
Because, sometimes they won’t.
I’m afraid that some times
you’ll play lonely games too.
Games you can’t win
’cause you’ll play against you.
All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you’ll be quite a lot.
And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance
you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.
But on you will go
though the weather be foul.
On you will go
though your enemies prowl.
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl.
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.
On and on you will hike,
And I know you’ll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.
You’ll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You’ll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life’s
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never foget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
So…
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea,
You’re off the Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!
