Midlife Passion

You’ve always dreamed of just throwing it all to the wind and taking off traveling but the fear of how it’ll impact your career continues to hold you back. It’s time to change that! Taking a break from your career will not only reenergize you, but will move your career in an entirely different direction when you return.

Last fall I met Betsy and Warren Talbot, the dynamic duo behind Married with Luggage. They sold their home and were in the process of getting rid of all their belongings, quitting their jobs and heading off to travel the world. I was so inspired by the two of them. It was astounding to know there was someone else out there with the same crazy ideas that I had!

And then they told me about Meet, Plan, Go!, a national event for those of us looking for inspiration and advice on taking a career break and traveling long-term! I couldn’t believe such a thing existed! Betsy and Warren were the hosts of the hugely successful 2010 Meet, Plan, Go! event in Seattle. I was so energized by the experience I couldn’t stop talking about it!

Meet, Plan, Go! brings together people who may have already taken a break from their careers to travel or those who only dream about it but have no clue how to go about it. I found  this to be an amazing on-line and in person community of supportive and encouraging people. It made the whole idea seem a bit less overwhelming.

They challenge the perception that we have to work our butts off until retirement and only then are we able to have fun. Instead of that delayed gratification, a break (or several!) in your career will change your perspective, open your mind and possibly even move your career in a different direction when you return.

Last week I went to the first informal get together for the upcoming 2011 Meet, Plan, Go! event in Seattle, hosted by Christine and Paul Milton, aka Bert and Patty. Christine and Paul recently returned to Seattle and their careers following their marriage and an extended honeymoon that turned into an 18 month trip around the world. They are inspiring, supportive, and  happy to share their experiences and encourage others to follow their dreams.

The national event will be on October 18, 2011 in 17 cities throughout the country.  It will bring together fantastic people who embrace the idea of fulfilling their dreams of travel and living life a bit less conventionally. This amazing community is a unique source of strength, inspiration and support.

It’s so encouraging to realize that long-term travel is a completely realistic goal and that not only is it possible to do, but there are so many people already doing it! That affirmation is life-changing!

If it’s always been your dream to leave everything behind and travel the world, this could be the inspiration that sets you on your way!

Change is difficult. It’s even more difficult when we try to do it alone. The beauty is, we don’t have to. There’s an entire community of like-minded people who are open and willing to be a part of your life. They are a powerful source of strength, inspiration and support.  These people literally can change your life.

After spending the past weekend in Portland with 500 other people at the World Domination Summit, I feel supported and inspired in ways I never would have dreamed were possible. This remarkable event attracted an incredibly unique group of people. They are generous, open, sharing and supportive. They genuinely care about each other. Every one of them wants others to succeed in living their lives fully as much as they want it for themselves. What an amazing concept! But then these are unconventional people, living unconventional lives.

The extraordinary people gathered at WDS believe in living their dreams and challenging the status quo.  They believe in the power of community and embrace relationships and connection. They believe in each other.

Life isn’t meant to be lived alone. We’re a social species who thrive with connection. If we can be open and vulnerable, our lives will begin to take on new meaning. We’ll grow, find our center and become stronger.

Openness is our greatest human resource.

~ Rebecca Walker

We often mistake independence for strength. We’ve come to place far too much value on accomplishing everything on our own. So we spend too much time struggling, recreating something that already exists and being frustrated. We don’t have to do this alone. There’s an incredible community of remarkable people who want to openly share their thoughts, creativity and inspiration.

It’s easy to get caught up in how different we think we are from others. Surprisingly, we are much more alike than different.  We all need love, support, caring and inspiration. But unless we’re willing to soften and be receptive to others, we’re closing ourselves off from the very things that will deepen and enrich our lives. Once we open our hearts and allow ourselves to be vulnerable, the joy and strength of community will flow through us.

There’s an abundance of amazing people creating less conventional lives. Reach out. Surround yourself with people from this astounding community. It will bring an entirely different energy and meaning to your life. With the strength of this generous and giving community, you can accomplish anything.

As I left Portland and the amazing people at the WDS, I knew that I truly had the power to change the world and am setting out to do just that!