Life Changing Journeys: Tessa's Story

March 11 2009 , Written by thediversetraveller Published on #2008, #50s, #Adventurer, #aroundtheworld, #career, #charity, #environmental, #escape, #Events, #Exhibition, #experience, #Foriegn, #International, #life, #SingleTravel, #solo, #stories, #travel, #Travel News, #traveler, #traveller, #TravelTales, #woman

In an earlier post I requested stories about life changing travels. Here is the first about Tess, in her own words, about how travel saved her life.

"In my early fifties and after 26 years of marriage and running a successful business, I decided there was another world waiting for me. I left the comforts of a sensible life, for a journey that took me on a road less-travelled, and the life more lived.

But it’s not the easiest thing, moving outside your comfort zone and starting out alone in middle age, although the sense of freedom and new possibilities were very palpable. ‘Live a little,’ friends said. ‘Take a risk, do something adventurous’. So despite the inevitable doubts that threaten to jeopardize a brave new idea, I set off for a grown up gap year.

The adventure was a wonderful, inspiring, mesmerizing dream. I saw brown bears and Alaskan jade in Canada, spent New Year under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, got lost in the ruins of Angkor Wat, hung out on the beach in Thailand, whirled with the dervishes in Turkey and saw the sun rise over the sublimely beautiful Taj Mahal. I had planned to do some environmental and voluntary projects or work while I was away, but in the event I didn't. I came to feel that my journey was not about saving others, or even the planet, but about saving me. It was as much a mental journey as a physical one that I undertook.

I knew life would seem very dull back in England. It would have been all too easy to slip back into the sensible, safe comfort zone of old, but a chance encounter with an inspiring man who reminded me to do only in life what I felt passionate about and to make a life and not a living changed everything.

At the start of 2007 still inspired, invigorated and empowered by my travels, I tentatively began forming the idea for my new business and a life and career I could be excited about.

Unexpectedly, and with very short notice, I received an email suggesting I visit the One Life Live exhibition in February. Quite by chance – well I expect the universe knew what it was doing- I happened to be in London that very weekend.

The exhibition is a treasure trove of ideas and inspirations for those wanting to make a difference to the quality of their lives and I spent several happy hours wandering through the various sections, meeting and talking to many interesting people.

At this stage my own business was a mere embryo but at One Life Live it truly came alive. I went to see the organizers and there and then booked a stand for the 2008 Exhibition. I was telling the world I was serious: I too could change my Life and now things are moving so fast as I grow and develop ideas and contacts."

Source: Life is too short to waste doing things that make us unhappy...

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