LUGGAGE Lady

Contemplations about Life, Love, & the Pursuit of Meaningful Existence…

Archive for the category “Life”

19 Apr 2013
22 Comments

Not Goodbye — Just So Long for Now

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I remember lugging my backpack around Europe in the summer of ’88, enviously eyeballing the tour operators in their air-conditioned buses and thinking, must be nice. Soon though, it became clear that those peering from behind the fancy tinted windows were limited to staged visits at predetermined sites — extemporaneous exploration excluded. At twenty-one, immortality remained a reality but a wisp of doubt lingered: Perhaps bucket list pursuits came with a use-by date?

When I met my husband, he sported a fused ankle bone with a few steel screws drilled in for good measure (a youthful act of…let’s just say a lapse in judgment he’ll never forget). Besides triggering airport security (ever spy that airline captain standing spread-eagle?😜 ), the impeded mobility continues to challenge. Therefore, we never squander opportunities that may prove impossible tomorrow.

Blessed to work in an industry that allows generous vacation time and travel deals, we’re off to hike Machu Picchu — an itinerary that has us traipsing some forty miles through the Andes at altitudes exceeding 15,000 feet. We’ve been training, but I’m more harvest hen than spring chicken and hope I haven’t overestimated my prissy-girl parameters to my own detriment. Just praying I’m not the one they strap atop the poor rescue mule.

As this Bag Lady vanishes from the grid for a while, I wish you renewed celebration of life’s true fortunes: Smile ’til your cheeks ache, laugh readily with wild abandon, love yourself and all you touch whilst delighting in your every aspiration! I’ll be hyperventilating beneath celestial Peruvian skies…

Not Goodbye — Just So Long for Now! ♥♥♥

Posted in Adventure, Baggage, Flight Attendant, Inspirational, Life, Life Lessons, Photography, Reflective, Relationships, Travel and tagged , , , , ,
12 Apr 2013
64 Comments

For Salvaging My Dream…

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Pecking computer keys in the wee hours

Few aware she even writes

Hunkered in the shadows

Defining herself by “other things”

An artist?

Unworthy!

Just a floundering girl

Filling her document folder

Material swiftly abandoned

Homeless amidst

Shock and awe journalism media

Wavering attention spans

Preoccupation

Isolation gradually devouring

Until a one-dimensional figure

Staring idly

At pulsing cursor

Was the uninspired hull that remained…

***

Then I found YOU!

Generous souls

Benevolently lifting

Hailing

From every corner of the globe

Rejuvenating with spirited support

In this frenzy-paced world

YOU selflessly carve out a moment of your day

To read, offer feedback, and gracefully pass through with a loving nod

YOU hoist my bar higher each time

Whether near or far

Our Connection

Propels my heart

Fingers fluttering across keyboard

In creative rebirth

Delivered by your welcoming chorus

Yet I stand before you

Struggling to articulate…

How do I sufficiently thank

YOU

♥ CHERISHED READERS ♥

For Salvaging My Dream?

Posted in Gratitude, Inspirational, Life, Philosophy, Photography, Poetry, Reflective, Writing and tagged , , , , , , ,
06 Apr 2013
47 Comments

Hometown Tourist

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Melting into your trance

We scamper aboard

Eager passengers

In pursuit of surprise

Sweep us from the ordinary

Rivet our senses

Broaden our character

Unearth perspective anew

Many dream of traveling “someday…”

But life’s obligations intervene

Time and money earmarked for other things

Yet

Adventure beguiles daily

No pricey ticket or suitcase required

Come hither

Sidle up

To that well-grooved chair in the corner cafe

Throw your heart’s eyes open

Hone your gaze

Feast upon the flurry of everyday charm

Donning the inquisitive mindset of a

Hometown Tourist…

Posted in Adventure, Baggage, Inspirational, Life, Philosophy, Photography, Poetry, Reflective, Travel and tagged , , , ,
06 Mar 2013
14 Comments

Postponing Life for a Braver Day…

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Ah, that exhilarating dream…

Abounding with infinite possibility

You courageously hover

Heart booming

Butterflies swarming

Unknowns blazing upon your cheeks

Yet you swallow, unflinchingly, against a cottony tongue

Reigning in skittered nerves

Harnessing the river of trepidation rushing from brain to toes

You’re empowered

TRULY ALIVE

Cascading through anxiety

Delving untethered into the wild blue yonder

Staring life squarely in the face

Invigorated by freedom so delectable

Willing the sensation to never end…

⚓️⚓️⚓️

…But the alarm clock jars

Severing your fantasy

Grating beeps lurching you back to reality

Into the greedy clutches of a well-known thief

Your mind spirals downward

Engaged in a dizzying battle with itself

Rooting you in place

Incessant “what ifs”

Serving as your rusty anchor for longer than you’d care to admit

Panic’s prisoner

Postponing Life for a Braver Day…

Posted in Adventure, Baggage, Inspirational, Life, Life Lessons, Philosophy, Photography, Poetry, Psychology, Reflective and tagged , , , , ,
25 Feb 2013
24 Comments

Knock Only if Expected!

 

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Strolling down my street recently, I noticed a sign posted on the cheery red door of my favorite house:  “Knock Only if Expected!“ it implored, rattling my senses.

Now I understand not wanting to be heckled in your home, but what about the neighbor dropping by with freshly baked cookies or glorious bottle of wine, who simply wishes to make your acquaintance? How much is lost when social parameters are cordoned off so rigidly?

This question reverberated around my brain like ice water hurled into a steaming shower, leaving me to contemplate the times I’d carefully tweaked my external shell only to greet the public with “do not disturb” placarded across my demeanor. What breath-whisking scenarios swirled swiftly past, while I staunchly plodded forward with such a limiting disposition?

Of course no one wants to resemble a jack-in-the-box, head bobbing to-and-fro, and life demands a certain degree of focus — but surely I could peel back my blinders enough to welcome fortuity.

Because I’ve dwelled behind that shuttered door, and it was gregarious individuals extending hands without hesitation who resurrected my faith in humanity. Thanks to them I shall forever aspire, even if my knocks go unheeded, to maintain a boundless heart.

“Knock Any Old Time!” I hope my body language proclaims with every step taken…

Posted in Greater Good, Inspirational, Life, Life Lessons, Philosophy, Photography, Reflective, Relationships and tagged , , , , , , , ,
14 Feb 2013
23 Comments

My Serendipitous Romance

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Vacant heart

Fielding layers of incessant gray

Resigned to mediocrity

Not seeking

Yet, there you were

Seemingly too-good-to-be-true

A real life sorcerer

Vibrantly colorizing my world from that first mystical smile

Sowing hope atop ashes of forsaken dreams

Captivation so electrifying

Love’s rays swooning the stars to lasso the moon

Anticipating the next

But relishing the now

Nurturing what is

So “the end” never pecks its way across our page

Euphoria thickens my throat

Tears of appreciation silently pool

Swept off my feet for a lifetime

My Serendipitous Romance

***

Happy Valentine’s Day to my Treasured Readers…

May love worthy of your honorable hearts gently embrace you — today, and always!

(photo: Hong Kong Harbor 2011)

 

Posted in Gratitude, Inspirational, Life, Love, Marriage, Photography, Poetry, Reflective, Relationships and tagged , , ,
08 Feb 2013
18 Comments

In Depth’s Absence, Impressions Still Endear

 

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As a novice kayaker, I assumed the best technique was to plunge my oar deeply, keeping it submerged as long as possible to maximize forward mobility. This strategy worked in short bursts but quickly drained my spindly limbs.

Fortunately, in preparation for an eight-hour jaunt around Kauai’s Na Pali Coast, our instructor taught us the swift and shallow approach. Loosely gripping our paddles with elbows extended as if a beach ball rested in our laps, we were to catch, propel, and release the water. Relying on core and leg muscles, I completed the trek without requiring rescue — which made me wonder whether poor form hindered other facets of my life?

Now, I’d been called “a bit intense” on more than a few occasions, so the concept of surfacy interactions seemed akin to dreaming in a foreign language. Yet, my “what’s-the-quinessential-meaning-of-life” tendencies prickled carefully guarded comfort zones. I started appreciating the ease with which others established speedy rapport and noticed how, even brief snippets of connectivity, still resonated.

These days, just as I study the tide and current tables before launching my kayak on the San Francisco Bay, I’m keenly cognizant of those who seek a buffer from overly animated, philosophical sorts like me. And, although the temptation to thrust my paddle well beneath the surface beckons, I gingerly reel myself back several notches — knowing:  In depth’s absence, impressions still endear.

Posted in Adventure, Life, Life Lessons, Philosophy, Photography, Reflective, Relationships, Travel and tagged , , ,
29 Jan 2013
27 Comments

Bounteous Spirits Populating My Journey

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With each venture

The globe magically reveals herself

Pearl after generous pearl

A trend emerging

The fellow traveler’s warm disposition

Exchanging secret paths

Recommending hidden treasures

Gesturing down cobblestone alleyways

Eager to share establishments ripe with local flair

Extending genuine invitations

To be their guest

Halfway around the world

Kindhearted souls

Connecting in a manner

Seldom afforded in everyday life

Comrades in adventure

Life-enhancing encounters

Bounteous spirits populating my journey

Posted in Gratitude, Greater Good, Inspirational, Life, Philosophy, Photography, Poetry, Travel and tagged , , , ,
21 Jan 2013
20 Comments

When You Were Worthy of the Finest

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Remember when…

Adorned by family and friends

Cameras captured

Your fanciful march

Besotted with promise

Twirling fuchsia bouquet

In your tailored silk gown

Intricate ring placed with trembling hand

Imparting unity eternal

Freshly bound souls

Dreams bubbling like Champagne

Whispered cheek-to-cheek

Beneath a propitious moon?

But life unfolded…

Human condition consuming

Boxes to check

Building a home, family — career

Hearts taken for granted

Prioritizing spouse and children

Personal ambitions shelved

Until one day a ray of sunshine startles…

Elicits yesterday’s smile

Ironing a face etched by sacrifice

And resurrecting hope

From that time

When you were worthy of the finest…

Posted in Family, Inspirational, Life, Love, Marriage, Motherhood, Photography, Poetry, Relationships and tagged , , , , , , ,
11 Jan 2013
23 Comments

Hearts Shielded by Anonymity

 

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Someone recently told me, “There are two types in this world: friendly people and busy people.”

I was perplexed. Segregating two admirable traits appeared paradoxical. Keep in mind, I was raised by entrepreneurs whose mantra still is: “The harder you work, the luckier you become.” Of equal importance, was being kind and respectful to every single person along the way.

Clearly, I embarked upon adulthood sporting some rather thick rose-colored glasses. A hefty dosage of chilled reception would quickly dim their hue. At least now I had a tangible explanation. Apparently, the fundamental demands of existence left some folks — otherwise engaged. That wouldn’t stop me from throwing my heart in the ring.

Still, when basic attempts to connect with humanity falter, crawling into a dark cave can be tempting. I mean, who would even ponder putting themselves out there on a more intimate level? Whether seeking love or sharing an impassioned endeavor, baring one’s soul in anticipation of acknowledgment is a gut-wrenching pursuit.

Yet, as the days grow shorter, I wonder who teeters in their rockers mulling fewer regrets. Those who squinted into the blaze of indifference, risking ridicule by bravely belting out their songs? Or those who cautiously averted their gazes — hearts shielded by anonymity?

Posted in Greater Good, Inspirational, Life, Philosophy, Photography, Reflective, Writing and tagged , , , ,

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