LIVING ON THE EDGE

It was just a month ago when I was working with a fellow professional doing my GST filing.  She explained that her husband was busy golfing, and she had plans to fly to Costa Rica the next day.  This was a location that the two of them have enjoyed for months at a time over the past seven years.  Because he wasn’t travelling with her, she suggested that I grab a flight and stay with her.

Well, it was easy to explain that I was too busy and jokingly stated “I am too important to go away right now”.  That was on a Tuesday.   

Three days later, however, I was in the shower and asked aloud “God, why can’t I go?”  I immediately dried off and called Richelle to see if she had been serious.  She had been.

She was on her computer in Costa Rica, and I was on mine in Alberta.  We were able to secure the last seat at a ridiculously low sale price.  Over the next two hours, I hustled to prepare. 

I called my credit card company and telephone provider to explain that I was going out of country.  Then I contacted several people and organizations to rebook several personal appointments.

Once all the arrangements had been made, I went to the Friday social in our village and shocked a lot of seniors – many of whom spend months planning their trips.  They couldn’t believe that I decided at 1 p.m. that day to leave at 4 a.m. the next morning for such a big adventure. 

There was only packing to do, and I decided to keep it simple with a small carry on as well as a light backpack.  When I had a five-hour layover in Denver, I headed to a spa.  You see, I tend to treat airports like malls and get my needs met when I am there.

By 9:30 p.m. I landed in Central America, and my friend was waiting for me.  We had agreed that we would share her king-sized bed so there weren’t any hotel costs.  She has a vehicle and by filling the tank for her I not only had transportation but also a knowledgeable tour guide.

The week was amazing.  We visited an animal rescue, orchid farm, church filled with butterflies, and local market.  She hired a massage therapist to come to the condo for private treatments, and I accompanied her to a chiropractic clinic where I took photos to bring back to my chiropractor.  Two nights we just watched movies and chilled.  On my birthday she and friends took me to a beautiful Italian restaurant where the hillbilly band strapped a guitar on me for photos (I don’t play guitar). 

I contributed to the economy by purchasing a lot of jewelry hand-made by ticas (female Costa Ricans).   

By the time I came home I had wonderful memories, an even stronger friendship and one more story to tell all of you!  The only negative was that I lost my whole set of keys.  Fortunately, I was able to get replacements for a fee and had confidence knowing that whoever found them wouldn’t know where they belonged, so I was safe.

Yes, this decision was kind of living on the edge but what would have happened if I had believed my own story that I was “too important” to take a chance?

What are you stopping yourself from enjoying because you just aren’t open to a few new ideas?

I challenge you to think again before you discount your ability to step into a wonderful adventure.

Dr. Linda Hancock, the author of “Life is An Adventure…every step of the way” and “Open for Business Success” is a Registered Psychologist who has a private practice.   Visit  www.LindaHancock.com  or email her at  office@drlindahancock.com.