On this date, ten years ago, we were on a ship-arranged tour in Reykjavik, Iceland. We opted for the full-day off-road adventure in a large, giant-tired land and water vehicle. It was a pricey tour, but with only eight passengers, it was perfect. Unfortunately, it rained the entire day. But neither of us hesitated to exit the vehicle to revel in Iceland’s wonders, ending up soaked but exhilarated.
As I reviewed the post from ten years ago, I was reminded of our enthusiastic emotional state and the joy we were experiencing in year two of our world travels. Thus, unlike anything we’ve done in the past, I am sharing the verbiage we wrote on September 10, 2014. You can see the entire post here.
So, here we go, the post we wrote ten years ago today:
“Happiness is fleeting. At times, it wraps around our hearts during a special moment or entirely surrounds us on a day when everything in the world is right. We experienced our fair share of those special moments in our old lives. However, the challenges of everyday life are often imposed upon maintaining a perpetual state of contentment.
A pipe broke, spewing water all over the basement. An error on our cable bill threw us into a frenzy to correct it, perhaps leaving us frustrated and angst throughout the day. Day-to-day life has many challenges, often entirely out of our control or beyond our realm of responsibility.
Of course, the greatest angst of all is when we do make a mistake, an oversight, or an unintended spontaneous blurb that may hurt the feelings of a loved one or friend. It is during these times that we may feel as if it will never be right again, and happiness becomes a fleeting memory.
When we left life in Minnesota almost two years ago (October 31, 2012), we had no expectations of happiness being a daily state, of being consistent, or even somewhat dependable.
After being ill for many years and suddenly becoming well in August 2011, we both felt a sense of urgency to take advantage of my renewed health by living “outside the box” for as long as health allowed. It could all change in a day, a week, or a month. We chose happiness as a way of life.
We asked ourselves how we could best achieve such a state of happiness. The answer in our hearts was being free of most responsibilities, certain obligations, and the tasks of maintaining a house, a car, and a lawn.
We were left with only the responsibility of financial matters, planning and following our travel schedule, and, of course, to one another.
Communicating with our faraway loved ones has been nothing but pure joy. Yes, we occasionally feel a tinge of guilt for leaving everyone. But it doesn’t consume us when we’re committed to loving them all with open hearts, not guilt or sorrow, both of which impede happiness. They know we love them.
Ah, the old clichés. Terms such as “live life when you can,” “live life on your terms,” or “live your dreams ” are often espoused when speaking to others, but we seldom adopt these principles for ourselves.
So, here we are, “living life on our terms,” pleasing some, frustrating others, and leaving some curious about how we could dispose of everything we knew and love to make a life of happiness.
Whatever comes, we’ve been exquisitely happy these past almost two years. We often look at one another with expressionless faces, eyes locked upon each other, when suddenly, a wide-tooth-baring grin, almost from ear to ear, fills our aging faces with pure and simple happiness.
“Pinch me,” I often say. “Is this well-organized, meticulously planned, and executed like ours?” Yep. That’s us. And for however long it lasts, we’re grateful.
We love it now as much as the first day we left the US on January 3, 2013, after spending two months back and forth between Arizona and Nevada, planning our final details. In many ways, we love it more now, with the experience under our belts, the kinks worked out, and the fear all but gone.
I no longer fear flying in tiny airplanes, scorching hot weather without AC, lack of screens on windows, scary bugs, rough conditions, or rough roads. Laying it in God’s hands, coupled with common sense to keep us safe, we carry on.
Today, we share the last of our photos from Monday’s Iceland tour. Monday night, we departed Iceland and will be out to sea for five days. I won’t have WiFi until Sunday morning at 8:00 Eastern time when we dock in Boston. Please email me if anyone needs to reach me, and I’ll check daily.
Posts and photos will continue daily when we’re out at sea, during which I’ll use Tom’s computer with the ship’s slow WiFi signal. In the meantime, we’ll continue to have fun, cherishing each moment, every week, every month, and every year of happiness for however long we’re gifted with the desire to continue on.”
We haven’t changed much, have we? Regardless of how challenging the issues we face, we always strive to be challenged and fulfilled in life. Thank you for being here with us.
Be well
Photo from ten years ago today, September 10, 2014:
