On this week’s blog, we share a guest post from Paula Meyer! Enjoy :-)
I love traveling, I love organizing events, and I love meeting new people and new cultures!
For nearly 12 years, I worked for Dr. Joe Dispenza as his event director and organized amazing events for him. I learned so much, met extraordinary people, and got to travel to incredible places. This experience was the beginning of my interest in traveling around the world. Those of you familiar with Dr. Joe’s work, know how he incorporates Mind Movies into his advanced retreats. Mind Movies is an amazing online tool to help you create your future. When Dr. Joe first introduced Mind Movies, his staff created their own to learn the process. I had traveled a bit with Dr. Joe, mostly in the US, and I wanted more! This was in my first Mind Movie:
And boy, did my future come true!
Since then, I have traveled to 17 countries and many stops all over the US. I have been blessed with so many wonderful adventures! My beloved husband, Gary, was able to travel with me for many years and we created so many memories that I treasure, especially after he died from a courageous battle with throat cancer on June 1, 2018.
However, it only happened because I took action! Intentions don’t become reality without action. I believe that when you state your intentions to the Universe, the Universe waits to see if you are really serious by the actions you take. For me to become a world traveler, there were some things I had to do: get a passport, buy luggage, discuss with my family, discuss with my boss. Once all these action steps were completed, the Universe knew I was serious and gave me the final stamp of approval to become a world traveler!
Now, I’m beginning a new adventure, redefining Paula without Gary. Learning how to cope with the loss and overwhelming sadness. I’ve chosen to take a break from work in order to heal my heart, heal my body, spend time with family, nurture my soul, and find joy again. Work was a great distraction in the months after Gary passed, and it was time to let those distractions go in order to find “me” again.
What shall I call this new adventure? Let’s consider a few words, as defined by Merriam-Webster:
A sabbatical?
Definition: a break or change from a normal routine (as of employment): We tend to think of a sabbatical in academic terms, as a school year free from teaching duties that can be devoted to research, travel, and writing. Traditionally, this occurs every seventh year. We trace the origins of both sabbatical and Sabbath to the Greek word sabbaton. Sabbaton itself traces to the Hebrew word shabbÄth, meaning “rest.”
Kind of, but this implies that after some point in time, I go back to my previous work. The educational aspect of it certainly is appropriate given the fact that I’m navigating this journey of grief and learning how to recreate my life without Gary. And Yes! REST is the keyword!
A hiatus?
Definition: a period when something (such as a program or activity) is suspended or interrupted.
Sort of, my program called “working” is being suspended for a while. But again, it implies when the time is up, I go back to what I was doing before. I love that a synonym for hiatus is “void”, and I’m certainly jumping into the void!
Retirement?
Definition: a withdrawal from one's position or occupation or from active working life.
Probably more appropriate since there is no implied time frame or return to something. It’s open-ended.
I’m coining a new term for me: Wonders Unknown
Definition of wonder: a rapt attention or astonishment at something awesomely mysterious or new to one's experience.
Adding in the word unknown creates a great phrase to begin this new journey!
Let’s be perfectly clear, I don’t want to be a widow and it’s so unfair to be one at such a young age. I was 54 when Gary died at only 62. I feel cheated of 15-20 years that should have been ours to share and to experience each other in a new phase of life. And I don’t want to be labeled as a widow, but the truth is that’s what I am. So, I’m embracing it. I am forever grateful for the 21 years we shared together. I’m choosing to see this unfortunate place I’m in, as a very fortunate experience that will propel me into wonders unknown, where Gary will be looking on and supporting me where he can, laughing at me when I do silly things, sending me signs when I’m sad, and more importantly sending me signs when I’m on the right track.
A widow’s wonders in the unknown. My version of wu-wu!!
Who is Paula now? That is the looming question! Since March 2019, my Mom and I have been on a traveling journey! Travel is a great way to heal and I plan to continue my vagabond lifestyle! My goal is to find joy and wonder in every place we go. I want to find the uniqueness of each place, its essence, not just the usual touristy stuff. I will be watching for signs of the divine, keeping my eyes open for the beauty all around me, and being present in order to experience them fully.
Additionally, I am collaborating with my grief coach to bring widows grief retreats to the US! Our mission is to help widows navigate their journey from grief to joy, in a loving, nurturing environment.
A life of joy and purpose through travel, this is what Gary would want for me. And it all started with that picture in my Mind Movie! Without knowing it, I created a way for me to cope with my future loss. Isn’t life grand!
I’d love to hear how travel has transformed a loss for you, please share!
Dive into wonders unknown with me, the water is perfect!
“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson.
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