yoga pants
                            Travel comfortably in yoga pants

I only saw the movie The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants once. It’s not that I didn’t like it; I just haven’t seen it multiple times, as is my routine when I find a movie I love. It’s memorable to me as a bigger, surreal connection with all women everywhere and especially travelers everywhere as we seek to move our bodies from place-to-place as easily and comfortably as possible.

We do, after all, connect on an earthly level.

We all have bodies going through this human experience. Wearing pants is something MOST of us have in common. I suppose there are still people in the Outback of Australia, in the deep rain forest, and in Scotland, of course, that don’t wear pants. Then there is the cast of Naked and Afraid and Survivor that don’t wear pants. But please humor me; the majority of us do.

Hence the expression: we all put our pants on one leg at a time.

Translation: we are all the same.

That was one theme of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Each lady put the pants on, one leg at a time, but their experience in the pants was uniquely their own. As is everyone’s—a unique journey where we can only imagine walking a mile in someone else’s pants and shoes.

It reminds me of the world of yoga where each of us, as we step one leg at a time into our yoga pants, and one foot at a time onto our mats, has a unique heart/mind/body experience. My yogi teacher is fond of saying, “We meet ourselves on our mat daily.” Each day brings a new journey, whether our travels take us around town or around the world.

As my own travels continue to take me coast-to-coast, I hope I’m considerate and kind, honoring the human being in front of me and the journey we all take. I hope I smile and nod and engage and play along. I hope I see and honor all people.

I hope I let the small, uncomfortable human failing fall to the side. I hope I often support and bring courage to those that have misplaced theirs. I vow to honor every person, in every pair of pants in front of me.

I vow to see the commonality in all of us. I vow to honor both brotherhood and sisterhood of the traveling pants. I vow each time I don my traveling yoga pants that I reflect the light that is in each of us. Wearing comfortable pants helps!! I suggest yoga pants to everyone.

Namaste

#loquaciouslindee

strandedcarsnemo.jpg

Home in Colorado, watching the snow fly from the comfort of my own office chair, I KNOW leaving a buck behind paid off. Over 5200 flights canceled, millions of travelers stranded (plane, trains, and automobiles), 650,000 in the Northeast without power, 15 deaths L … and I made it home. As Nemo, pummeled the East Coast; I made it home. *

Is there a direct correlation? Probably not; but the common law of averages might apply. I was lucky to be training in Texas when the storm went through. Given my travel schedule I could just have easily been on the East Coast at the time. The odds were 50-50. Luck of the schedule-and Mother Nature’s will-found me in Houston.

I flew United out of Houston on a humungous plane and arrived exactly as scheduled at 8:52. I was only minutes from home (about 120 and counting). I’d been gone two weeks and as fabulous as it was, it was time to be home.

Did leaving a buck behind bring good travel karma? Well I know for sure it didn’t hurt!

 

*  A big shout out to all my peeps on the East Coast. All y’all okay? You dug out yet? Hope you all stayed warm. J

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   Ever notice how some people get all worked up over a little travel? Mention “airport” to a friend of mine and she immediately breaks into a sweat. She hates navigating the check-in and security lines. Abhors having to wade through all the people. She’s so intent on getting from Point A to Point B that she misses the sites entirely—including the beautiful artwork and cultural displays that many airports have provided for the entertainment and engagement of passers-by.  

   I’m the opposite. I love a road-trip. If that trip includes planes, trains, and automobiles, so much the better. The trick to traveling light and carelessly (without a care) is to: 1) take your heart with you, and 2) leave your cares at home.

Take Your Heart

   The people you hold dear need to come with you—metaphorically of course (unless you’re lucky enough to have them as your traveling companions). Your partner, your kids, your best friends, your parents… Figure out a way to connect with them while you’re gone. Texting is a great substitute for a live phone conversation—and often it’s easier than trying to hear in a crowd. Even beyond that, talk with them in your head. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Set the point in time when you’ll know you’ll see them again and then vow to enjoy every minute of your adventure until time leads you there. If you keep them fully in your heart and take them with you, you won’t have a driving need to get home. “Home” is with you.

Leave your Cares at Home

   It’s amazing what a week away will cure. If it’s a big enough concern, it’ll be waiting for you when you get back, but sometimes “time” works a problem through without you having to do a thing. Being on-the-road is relief from the everyday mundane routine that keeps some people engrossed in their problems and stuck in old thinking. They’re in-a-rut. Travel helps to open up new perspectives. New scenery, unfamiliar streets, unknown restaurants, different faces and places. You just might have a different perspective upon re-entry. What was important before might be insignificant upon your return.

   Let go of any preconceived notions on how your trip will go. It’s a stellar day when the weather is fine, the flight is on time, and your rental car has cruise control. But when the challenges set in—delayed flights, turbulent skies, lost reservations, no gps, embrace it and move forward. Your only need is to relax, enjoy the moment, and let your thoughts unravel.