Shiny Things
| December 12, 2012 | Filed under Australia, Follow Your dreams |
I leave tomorrow for India. Our brief sojourn in Australia en route to our next destinations has gone blindingly quick. I said goodbye to Tyrhone last Friday, the lead up of which was worse than the actual event (often the case with things I’m worried about). We’re having family Christmas tonight – prawns, turkey, the whole bit. I told my little niece Santa may even make an exception and deliver some gifts early since I’m leaving tomorrow.
Her eyes widened bigger than usual and she nodded her head knowingly – she still believes in the unbelievable and the impossible.
As did I a few short weeks ago.
I came to a point where I honestly believed anything as possible, that life could be joyful and simple and a manifestation of my creative desires.
A stop-over in Melbourne to see friends brought a greater knowing. Spending time with my dear friend Brooke’s new baby Piper, taking her for her first photo with Santa. Connecting with my beautiful friend who I grew up with and have always shared the journey with in some way. Our paths may be different now, but when they cross, it’s even more special.
Then reconnecting with another special friend, this time a new one, Alli who I climbed Mt Rinjani with back in Indonesia. Originally from Texas, I met Alli in Bali and she now lives in Melbourne. The synchronicity of life floors me these days.
Then it was home to Perth, organising visas for India, and trying to catch up with family and friends, though again, time got away to see and do it all.
This didn’t matter to my little nieces, for whom it seemed I’d never been away. Except for 3 year-old Olivia’s question of “Sarah, where is your house?” to which I responded that I didn’t have one.
“But ya need a house!” she informed me, as if I wasn’t aware of a very basic fact about life.
I wanted to tell her that you don’t need one, that you can live wherever you choose, experiencing life in all it’s glory in every corner of the globe, but I didn’t.
Yesterday as I was packing, she said she wanted to go to India, then added, ”But I don’t know where India is, so you’ll need to show me.”
My heart could have broke into a thousand pieces if I’d let it.
When Mum and I were having a conversation about her recent trip to France, Olivia informed us she had been to France, and had her last birthday party there. Like I said, she believes in the unbelievable.
Coming back is wonderful, but a little difficult. Life here is so vastly different from what we have been experiencing, and it was a bit of a shock at first. I felt more like a foreigner than I had in the last ten months of travel. But I’m very lucky to have such loving and supportive family and friends, who always welcome me back with open arms (and always want to buy me dinner, thank you guys!!!).
But I began to notice that my hair was drab, my skin spotty and my clothes, well… let’s just say that I don’t even own a pair of jeans. Things I haven’t thought about for so long, old ideas and insecurities, rose to the surface. The shops lined with shiny things began to grab my attention, making me feel like if I had some of them, I’d feel better.
Negative thoughts masquerading as rational ones began to creep in again, telling me that perhaps I was “a bit silly” (as my niece would say) to think I could live life this way, living off the interest of our savings and trying to make an income from my writing.
But those thoughts are not the truth, and thankfully I am able to recognize that now. The happiness and joy I have found in doing what I love is real, and whilst I may not know anyone (in person) who lives a similar lifestyle, I have to believe in my own happiness, rather than that of others.
My faith has been experiential. My belief in the seemingly impossible and unbelievable has been restored by this journey we embarked on. The proof is in the delicious pudding that life has become for us as the result of following our hearts.
Not the head, never the head. For the head will tell me all sorts of lies filled with ‘can’t’ and ‘shouldn’t’ and ‘won’t’.
The heart says, “Why not? Give it a try, who knows you might even succeed, and if you fail, so what?”
And it says, “Of course you can have Christmas on the 12th of December and then fly to India to spend actual Christmas with a girl you have never met, then drive across India in a three-wheeled tin can with another girl you’ve never met.”
Because just like my little niece, my heart still believes in the unbelievable and the impossible.
Merry Christmas everyone.
My beautiful family (minus Tyrhone, and my brother-in-law Mark)! Me, my nieces Olivia and Sophie, My Mum Pam and my sister Rebecca
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Thank you to everyone who has supported The Rickshaw Run Diaries, proudly sponsored by KEEN footwear. KEEN have not only covered some of our entry fees for the event, but fitted us out in amazing shoes and bags, as well as provided us with a bundle of shoes to give away in India. We are so blessed to be supported by such a wonderful company, whose sense of social and environmental responsibility is matched only by their high quality, ultra-funky products. Like them on Facebook! Thank you KEEN!!!
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Safe journeys! I LOVED India!!! And Merry Christmas!
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures recently posted..NASCAR: Day 3
Thank you Andi, me too! Can’t wait to check out Goa for the first time though
So proud of you muffin! Keep it up I love seeing you so happy! Merry Xmas Chambos.
xkel
Thank you Kell! And thank you for spoiling me with an amazing dinner! Love you xxx
Firstly – what cute nieces you have! It’s so interesting to hear how you’ve found coming ‘home’ after all those months of travel; I often wonder whether I’ll be changed so much by travel that I just won’t ‘Fit’ back in London anymore. Out of interest, did your family/friends notice any differences in you?
Amy recently posted..Homesick? But we haven’t even left yet…
Hi Amy, firstly, yes, I have to agree, they are the cutest!! I don’t know if anyone noticed anything different about me, but yes, I am definitely a changed person from when we left. It’s not just the travel, it’s the connections and the creativity that come from writing a blog that I value just as much (if not more!!). Thank you
Hi Jane,
Beautiful post, I know you are going to have a great time in India. Then you can come play in the snow with me.
Great photos, looks like they may have bee taken with a G15 by a professional photographer
tyrhone recently posted..London, like coming home, but not
He he, is it snowing there?? I know it will be amazing, still miss you though
Beautiful reflections as per usual Sar. As we all know those shiny things don’t know shiny things don’t usually give sustained happiness but following your heart does!! Great to see you and I hope you had a lovely dinner with all the gorgeous Chambo gals. X
Thank you Eggy!!! So lovely to see you, thanks so much for coming over, lots of love and merry Christmas to you guys xxx
Amazing photos Sarah, such a beautiful family you have And, this –> Not the head, never the head. GOD, don’t I know it (but life is so beautiful this way). XO
Kim recently posted..El Chalten, Argentina in Pictures: My New Favorite Place on Earth
I have to remind myself constantly Kim! If I listened to my negative thoughts I would achieve nothing!!! And as a result of following my heart, I shall be seeing you very soon
All of you inspire me so much to trust my heart. My head tells me all kinds of stories I’m apt to believe, but I know a lot of it is fear.
Luckily you’re meeting up with two amazing women in India to help you continue your journey!! <3
Carmel recently posted..Thanksgiving Recap
Thank you Carmel, oh the fear!!! Whenever a major change approaches, I’m filled with it (like right now!). Trying to trust… I’m sorry I haven’t replied to your email yet. I will!
Beautiful post Sarah. This time when it’s time to return to Perth I will feel a lot more comfortable in my shell without all the ‘shiny’s’. I’m me and that’s what I love more
Jill miller recently posted..Mother Nature Party
I wish I was as zen as you Jill!!! All the best for your trip home
How beautifully written, Sarah. I have goosebumps!
Yes, the conflict with the head and the heart. I struggle with this on the daily and I know it’s just a matter of letting my heart win and just trying things, giving them ago…!
May your next journey in India continue to show you the unbelievable is possible!
Lauren recently posted..Confessions of an Expat
Thank you so much sweety! I am here with Hannah, and believe me, I am just in awe of what is possible when you step out into the unknown! More coming soon
What a sweet post and isn’t it wonderful that you can always go home again and be welcomed with open arms. I look forward to following the adventures of you, Kim and Hannah!
Safe Travels ~
Patti recently posted..Paris in Winter ~
Thank you so much Patti!!! We are getting really excited about the adventure ahead, thank you for your kind wishes
What a beautiful and profound post, Sara. Your nieces are adorable, made me miss my niece and nephews. Have a wonderful time in India. I can’t wait for your rickshaw ride!
Marisol recently posted..Boracay Island: At Home in Paradise – Part 2
Merry Christmas, Sarah ! Enjoy India, super curious about what you will experience over there.
Thank you for your lovely blogs, they make me smile everytime I read them.
Thank you !
What a lovely surprise, thank you Lies!!! I hope you are going well, wherever you may be, so nice to hear from you my dear, and a very Merry Christmas to you too xxx
Merry Christmas Sarah and safe travels for the next chapter of your travels! I think your such an inspiring women and LOVE reading your posts! Stay safe and keep believing, your doing something that most of the population want to do however we don’t have that special something that you have! Well done, so proud xo Kirstin
Kirstin, that is SO sweet of you, honestly no one is more surprised than me that this is actually happening! I wish you and your boys a very happy Christmas, your support means so much to me and really made my day, thank you xxx