Hello friends! I’ve been laying low since Saturday because I hurt my back jogging 6 miles. I’m sure it was a combination of things…sleeping on a bed in the basement a couple of weeks ago (where it’s cooler) that didn’t … Continue reading
I read an article yesterday about a Nurse who cared for terminally ill patients during the last 3 months of their lives. She listed the top five regrets that they shared and realized that we can learn a lot from them…from the clarity that they had at the end. These are the regrets and how they relate to my life…
1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
This was the most common regret of all. They knew that due to choices they had made…most of their dreams were not realized or even attempted. Because I’m at a fork in my journey right now, the realization that I can fundamentally alter the course of my life, has been driving me a bit crazy lately. I’m trying to listen to the Universe/God and not over-analyze…but sometimes I do! When there are other people that are affected by your choice, it becomes more difficult, especially for women who are taught to be un-selfish and I believe are typically just wired that way.
They realize that they took their health for granted and that there was a freedom attached to it! This is one of the reasons I take good care of myself…exercise…eat right (most of the time)…etc.
2. I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.
When I was 13 years old, I started buying all of my own clothes and funding any recreational outings by babysitting. I worked full-time for 30 years and raised a child until the last few years…at which time I quit work to take care of my ill mother and do some traveling. I’m back at a temporary full-time job and financially can’t retire any time soon. My quest is to find a job that doesn’t feel like work…to do something I’m passionate about! But…I have the travel bug! Should I become a digital nomad… somehow make money while I’m traveling or perhaps Teach English as a Second Language in a foreign country? Universe…I’m listening!
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others and some developed illnesses because of the bitterness and resentment they held in.
This hasn’t been one of my issues.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
I regularly get together with my friends…I have a couple of girlfriends that I’ve known for over 40 years. I’m open to having even more friends!
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
The realization that happiness is a choice did not arise until the end for many of the patients. People convinced themselves and others that they were content, when in reality, fear kept many of them from stepping outside of their comfort zone to reach for their dreams…to be silly…or to stop worrying and let joy take its place!
I am trying to become fearless!
Today was a big day! First, we drove 1 1/2 hrs. North to Abiquiu to a “real” cowboy’s land to horseback ride! His name is Fred Espinola…and I learned more on this 4 hour ride than I’ve ever learned. Having rode in Spain, Costa Rica, Texas, Indiana and Hawaii…not to mention a variety of places in Ohio…I discovered why horses usually gave me a difficult time. They want you to show them who’s boss…(kind of like men). I fell off of a horse in Spain because he wanted to eat grass on the side of a cliff and I let him. A horse laid down with me on top of him (of course I had to jump off quickly) in Texas. On the Loveland Bike Trail in Cincinnati, a horse tried to buck me off of him. They used to love to scrape my legs against trees and fences. At least I’ve followed the advice of getting back on a horse if you fall off!
I hadn’t ridden in 4 years so I asked for a nice steady horse. Meet Charlie…the one-eyed horse.
Fred had us take a minute to close our eyes and visualize what our ride was going to be like…and to sense the connection between ourselves and our horse…pretty cool!
This is Fred…
This is Mitzi…visiting Fred from California. She’s a sweetie!!
This is Tony Llama!
His horses are rescued Mustangs!
At times, we were riding along some higher hills/cliffs and I was afraid that Charlie (since he was missing an eye) wouldn’t be able to see where the cliff dropped off!
We got to trot/canter/gallop a lot…so I’m still sore a week later!!
Fred made me a little nervous when he said if Charlie starts to paw at the water…to pull him away from it…because that means he’s going to lay down in it!
Next, we stopped at Ojo Caliente Hot Springs to hopefully help with the sore muscles from riding. Their sulphur-free, geothermal mineral waters have flowed from a subterranean volcanic aquifer for thousands of years. Over 100,000 gallons per day come to the surface, revitalizing those who soak in the long believed, healing waters.
SPA is the acronym for the Latin phrase Salus Per Aquas, which means “health through water.”
There was a European guy that hit on me…as I’m telling him about my bruises from horseback riding…he said I was sexy and he would kiss them for me…oh la la!! I told him he had something in his mustache (a “booger”). I’d want to know!
We only spent about an hour there…because we had a schedule to keep. Next…we went to a piano bar called “Vanessie”. The pianist’s name is Doug Montgomery and he is very talented. It is a local’s hangout…if you want to sing…you tell Doug ahead of time and it’s great fun!!
Sherry Lachelle Travels 