12 by 12 in 2012: The Lessons of 2012

When I had set out on my "12 by 12 in 2012" journey this year, I knew there would be a lesson or two to be gained from it; I just didn't know in what form those lessons would take on.  Sure enough, the "light bulb" started to go off in my head, and the lessons came into focus just as I started to wrap-up my 2012 travels.  188+ in-flight hours and approximately 80,000 flight miles have culminated into some of life's most important, but most basic, lessons.  We're talking about fundamental, everyday stuff that we take for granted as human beings.  Being on the road in 2012 has renewed in me a sense of purpose and happiness by teaching me to embrace the following lessons to guide the actions in my everyday life, even when I'm "grounded" at home and not on the road.....

#1: To Be Humble:  There's nothing more humbling than being in a foreign land where you can't speak the language.  From figuring-out where to find your gate at the airport to finding a place to eat (and then having to order), it's a real test of resourcefulness.  Any qualms of "looking stupid" quickly go out the window, because it's either "ask" or starve in many cases.  That said, you quickly learn to put the pride aside, even if it meant I had to break-out my broken French.  Put simply, it's a matter of survival and getting from point A to point B.  It ain't always pretty, but it's substance over form.  Ironically, you gain confidence from being humbled by the struggles; with each hurdle (i.e., task) you solve and overcome, you gain a real sense of accomplishment -- when you're able to order yourself a meal in a different language, somehow the struggles make you savor the meal just a bit more than usual.....

#2: Be Flexible:  Be flexible!  Situations can change quickly and you don't want to miss out on things if you have a rigid plan.  True for travel, true for living life -- life's messy; simply put, enough said...

#3: Show Compassion:  From my colleagues in Europe/Asia/U.S., to the old lady on an Amsterdam tram who told me which stop to get off, as well as the friends of my friends and the relatives of my relatives, I was the recipient of a lot of kindness from a lot of people.  For every act of kindness someone showed me, it was reminder for me to show the same compassion to others.  A lesson in give and get...it's a great feeling when you do something nice for someone else, no matter how small the gesture.  There were so many instances when someone did something nice for me when I least expected it, but most needed it, too!

#4: Feel Gratitude:  Take this blog, for example.  I can look at my journeys in one of two ways:  On one hand, I can say, "shucks, I still haven't been to every country and/or continent, yet."  Alternatively, I can reflect on the fact that I've gotten to see and experience things & places in the span of a year that most people don't come close to seeing in a lifetime.  I find that taking the latter perspective makes me a much happier person.  

Just as I've come to learn that compassion knows no borders, grief has no boundaries, either.  In the two weeks of my last trip, I crossed paths with stories of colleagues, both past and current, who've had heartache in recent days...a colleague confined to a wheelchair in the past 2 years due to ALS; a colleague diagnosed with stage III lymphoma; a colleague who lost his wife of 30+ years to a sudden heart attack, just as he was about to retire to enjoy life with her.  A lot of sadness all around, but each of these colleagues are fighting on...

All these stories have served as reminders for me of how grateful I am for my prognosis last year when I battled thyroid cancer.  All things considered, someone was definitely looking-out for me, because I got a chance to live and experience all that I did in 2012.

Life feels fuller and a little easier to navigate when you choose to focus on the have's, instead of the have-not's...

#5: Take Nothing for Granted:  Seize every moment of everyday doing what you want to do, because, as I've learned, life can change on a dime!  If you can't find anything to remind you of that, just watch the news...

When cancer was dropped on me at 28 years-old, it served as a reminder that we don't always have "next time." As such, I made sure that on every stop of my "12 by 12 in 2012" journey, I did and saw everything that I wanted to.  Even on the days I was extremely jet-lagged and sleep deprived, or feeling anxious to venture out and practice speaking a foreign language, I nudged myself to get a move on it, because who knows when I'll ever have the chance to come back for a visit to the same spot or place.  Even if I did return to the same spot, I've learned in life that "the second time around," isn't always the same....When the stars are aligned, you need to seize the opportunity and make the most out of that moment, because you don't know if you'll get another crack at it...

Just days ago, I came across this famous quote:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ~Mark Twain

I'm proud to say, my sails have caught wind in 2012 to take me to wherever my heart desires....

The Best "12 by 12 in 2012" Moments

A big, "Thank You!" to everyone who supported me and cheered me on in my journey, especially those who participated in either hosting me or accompanying me on a trip...I'm forever grateful...