It Is Time

What I have been planning for the last three months is almost upon me. My trip to Europe. I may have butterflies in my stomach now, but I will reframe that as being excited.

What faces me is my Ideal Vacation Scene of traveling across the pond with my inner child in hand. Hey, taking care of my younger wounded self has spurred on incredible adventures and this is the next. Adventure? Sure. I never traveled to a foreign country on my own, let alone spoke a different language that I have only practiced a few months. Add on different customs and the use of weird looking money, it’s all new. But, I have overcome so many obstacles, I have faith that my future self will figure things out and make the best of it.

This trip became a reality when I received my Oyster Card in the mail from London today. It is a public transportation card that you swipe for busses and trains. I found this out by watching Rick Steves on PBS.

Another in a slew of Ideal Scenes that have attracted relationships, my business, my health, and obscure things as attracting the ideal roommate. You may wonder what is an Ideal Scene? For many who haven’t read these articles, an Ideal Scene is simply an artistic exercise of plopping yourself into the future of your making where everything is perfect. Hey, if you are going to focus on the future, why not focus on the very best? This has been the complete opposite of what I was weaned on by family and society. You know – “What is the worst thing that can happen?” Well, screw that! I focus on the best. If the nasty stuff may happen, I’ll deal with it then, not practice it now.

Another tried and true tool is the use of “Intentions”. Ultimately, what is my focus going to be? Here are a few intentions for the trip:

• My intention is to enjoy every moment.
• My intention is to be healthy and full of energy.
• My intention is to speak French beautifully and understand what people are saying to me. Oui Missuer.
• My intention is to be mindful and surround myself in joy.
• My intention is to take great care of myself.

 

 

Ultimately this trip is really for me to center back into myself. I often get stuck in focusing on others, due to my job, and excursions like this help me to take care of the guy I see in the mirror each morning.  

Last week I went on a pre-trip to Las Vegas to root for my UCLA Bruins in the Pac 12 Tournament. Unfortunately, they lost in the finals by two points but it didn’t deaden my trip. My friend and I literally had the time of our lives! 

After UCLA won their first game, we rushed down to the box office, ordered two tickets for the following game, and on our way to the stadium the next day noticed they had the wrong date. I called the stadium, talked to a manager who promised me he’d take care of us. Sure enough, the tickets were exchanged and we were placed, not up in the rafters like we had been, but three rows away from the court! I knew right there that God loved me.

One detriment of this European holiday is the fact that I might miss UCLA in the finals. My Bruins are playing Gonzaga in the Sweet 16 and sorry Gonzaga fans but hey, this guy is from southern California, and even though it is popular to shout out “Beat L.A.” I grew up watching Kareem Abdul Jabbar and all those superstars as a young child and I’m not changing that affiliation. Look, I let go of my Rams for the Seahawks, but they are the Rams. UCLA is a dynasty.

So now it is off to see the things that I have seen in movies or watched in all the recent travel shows. The Eiffel Tower, Buckingham Palace, Abby Road Studios, The Louvre. I do get to meet up with family who live in the Netherlands. I’ll try out a few Dutch words in order to fit in. Gotengoten.

As for our facility, it will still be open in my absence and my assistants are just as good, if not better than me, so I know the place won’t burn down before I return.

I did this solo traveling years ago when I ventured to the Grand Canyon. It was an epic trip where I ate the best meals on the menu and went on a helicopter ride.

 So for now Salud, Ar’voir, and Bon Voyage. 

Compassionate Care is Always Available

There are many more tools and strategies you can use in your pursuit of happiness. Here is where we come in. Contact us at Basic Steps Mental Health and let us support and educate you on this journey back to your loving heart center. Imagine living a heart-centered life, regardless of what is happening externally. We’d love to be of help.

For 25 years, Dr. Scott Alpert, the clinical director of Basic Steps Mental Health, has treated over 7,000 people with mental health and addiction problems, using a Psychological approach that mixes and matches ten of the top approaches used in the industry. We are here virtually and in-person to help you get through this COVID-19 pandemic and many other difficulties you may be experiencing.

May you have good mental health.