| Spirit Journeys Is More Important Now Than Ever Before |
| Written by Howie Holben | |
| Monday, 23 March 2009 | |
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These are very stressful times for all of us. Most of us have never experienced anything in our lives that even comes close to the fear and uncertainty that surrounds us these days. We are worried if we will have a job next week; if we will be able to keep a roof over our heads and put food on the table. All we hear from the media is how bad things are and that its likely to get worse. Who wouldnt be stressed?
These are very stressful times for all of us. Most of us have never experienced anything in our lives that even comes close to the fear and uncertainty that surrounds us these days. We are worried if we will have a job next week; if we will be able to keep a roof over our heads and put food on the table. All we hear from the media is how bad things are and that its likely to get worse. Who wouldnt be stressed? As humans, we are programmed to avoid anything that feels bad or uncomfortable. If it hurts, the first thing we try to do is get away from the pain, and stress certainly is painful. Were also taught that the quick fix is the best fix. Got a headache? Take a pill. Cant sleep? Take another pill. Stressed out? Have a cocktail, or take a vacation! Yes, a vacation... thats what I need; a chance to get away from lifes stresses; to escape. We think, That way I can come home refreshed and ready to deal with lifes stresses with renewed vigor. A typical vacation can be a big help in dealing with stress. We get a chance to leave the worries behind us for a week or two, but do we really? The first couple days of the vacation we spend just arriving and settling into vacation mode. Then we get to spend a few days doing whatever we do on our vacations. Even during these days, our thoughts frequently return to the worries from which we are trying to escape. Then a couple days before we are to return home, we begin to move back into stressed out mode. We start thinking of all things waiting to be done when we get back home; we wonder if we will still have our job when we return; we wonder if these times of stress will ever get better. The problem is that when the vacation ends, we have to go back to the same demands of life we left behind. Most likely we did not learn any new skills to deal with the stresses that made us need a vacation in the first place. In this sense, typical gay travel is only a quick, temporary fix, like a pill or a drink. This is why we think Spirit Journeys is more important now than ever before. Our personal experience has shown us that a journey with Spirit Journeys can be a life changing event. The introduction to new ways of thinking, the learning and practicing of techniques to handle stress or the building of a support network of friends, can all help us be less affected by lifes ups and downs; to be more confident as we move through our lives. Also, at a Spirit Journeys event we get to meet and connect with people at a level simply not possible on an ordinary gay vacation. We are given the chance to learn new things and hear new ideas from the others in the group. The connections made on a Spirit Journey add immensely to the enjoyment of our time away. To be able to sit and have a real conversation with someone; for us to be listened to with genuine interest; for us to listen to others with our heart; the importance of these things cannot be measured and bring a deep sense of fulfillment. Yes, there is effort involved. We can't just hide in our rooms. We will want to be "present"; we will want to be willing; we will want to be as open and honest as we can be. However, this effort is highly rewarding. People know in their hearts that this kind of effort can change their very being; they know that this effort can change their overall way of viewing life and that this can help make everyday a vacation. The Article Author: Howie Holben is the owner of Spirit Journeys, a gay travel company. His goal is to help others uncover their potential by setting their hearts and minds free. Learn more about him at Spirit Journeys. |
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