Dear
A good friend of mine has a large database of women and recently did a survey. The three most important things to these women were:
- Providing for their families
- Being debt free
- Going on the holidays they want
Does that list apply to you?
On top of that, recently I spoke for a travel organization where one of the speakers asked the 600 people in the audience what travel does for them. It was fascinating to hear the answers. Answers included freedom, education, inspiration, and it reconnected them to their families and loved ones. Because I travel so much for my job, I had forgotten the special place that travel holds for most people who literally dream of holidays or overseas travel.
Which got me thinking! What do holidays or vacations really do? I think they are a chance for us to reconnect with what really matters to us - and ourselves. We step out of the daily rush of normal life and take time to breathe and have new experiences that open us up and help us grow and develop.
I am and have always been passionate about helping families learn how to be families again! We become so disconnected with all the busy-ness, that the true joy of being a connected family is lost. Vacations let us reconnect and create amazing family experiences that changes our lives and are permanent memories.
I came across a relatively new organization (learn about it here www.amandagore.com/travel and watch the video here http://youtu.be/Z5ou-jtFyO4) This organization really excited me with what it was offering! It's a brilliant concept. It's a way of combining having vacations you never dreamed you could afford, and having access to wholesale flights, hotels and car rentals with making a living and having a life at the same time. It hit the trifecta with me! LOL
Not only do they offer people a chance to experience a dream vacation at a 5 star resort for a 3 star price, but they let you make your own dream trips! You and a group of friends can plan a trip at wholesale prices - a cruise where you might pay as low as $69 per person for the whole cruise. You can have 3 nights at the Jamaica Ritz Carlton for $350 all inclusive. Or similar deals in Thailand, Europe, Vietnam, South America, Mexico, Australia, New York and a lot more countries.
There are sporting theme trips - around the super bowl, golf, nascar or any other sport where you and a group of your friends can go to bond, while your partner hangs out at a spa resort. Or African safaris, skiing trips or cooking school trips.
But wait - there's more - voluntourism. You and your family and friends can go to Thailand and work in an orphanage and it's all arranged, safe and includes food, accommodation and transport. Or build a school in Guatemala - using discarded drink bottles filled with trash so you are cleaning up the area while contributing to the children of that very poor country. I love that idea of serving others. What a great gift to give your children - the idea of serving others less fortunate than them. Way better than a new xbox in my opinion!
You can see why I am excited about this company and the opportunities it offers. If travel was once unaffordable to you - then no more! Have a look at this company because I believe there is a real resonance with The Joy Project. They are both on a mission to help people find their joy - and the fast track to joy is to connect to your heart and to serve others. This company does both.
Just thinking about a vacation can bring you joy! The planning and anticipation gives you something to look forward to - which is critical for mental health.
I heard a wonderful psychologist speak last week, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg. A specialist on children he had some terrifying statistics on the youth of Australia. Did you know they are more stressed, anxious and depressed than any other age group? And more stressed, depressed and anxious than at any other time in our history. Suicide is the leading cause of death in the 15-24 year olds. Mental disorders affect 1 in 7 primary students and 1 in 4 secondary students.
I am convinced that a lot of this poor mental health comes from rushing too much and being disconnected from families. Sure, they use social media but nothing makes up for the real, sit down, 'mooch about as a family' time.
Which brings me back to vacations and why they are so important for joy. You don't have to go on a fancy one to a fabulous resort or exotic place or even do exciting things. You just need to go camping and connect. Or go to the beach and play together. Or eat together every night in a humble cottage by a beach.
To give Mum a rest maybe you could have 2 vacations a year - one in a resort and one more simple. Both bring different experiences. Both develop children and change their perspectives. Make sure you take your children on a voluntourism trip at least once in your life so they see how other people live. It's an experience they will never forget. Do it all together as a family and it will be a treasured memory in your family history. It may change your family life forever.
I believe joy, (which implies mental health!) and vacations are intricately linked. We all need something to look forward to; we all need to reconnect with our loved ones; we all need new and exciting experiences to keep learning and growing; we all need to stop, relax and de-stress; we all need to serve others - and we all need to take care of ourselves and give ourselves a break.
So I am excited that I can share with you a way you can afford those vacations many of you have only ever dreamt of - I take my position very responsibly and I don't recommend anything unless I have thoroughly researched it and found it to be reliable, safe and solid.
Visit www.amandagore.com/travel and learn a little more or EMAIL ME (amanda@amandagore.com) - let me know you are interested and I can share more with you.
Meantime - no matter how you do it, plan a future vacation. Even a mini one - so you and your family or you and your friends can re connect heart to heart and kindle the fires of joy that are already inside you. They may just be embers at the moment but it won't take much of a vacation to fan them into a fire again.
PS when you go on vacation - make sure you make 'device free' time - no phones, iPads, iPods, or any other electrical thing that children or grown ups can connect to - instead connect to each other!!
Zooties, Amanda
P.S!! ~ To inspire your creativity about what holiday you will plan - here are some examples of the Dreamtrips on offer in our Ticket To Joy Travel Club. When you see a small blue circle next to a price, you take that amount off the price of the trip for the member, by using your Dreamtrip points. (Every dollar you invest to join, comes back to you in points which can be used to part pay for future dream trips!). One membership covers you, a partner, spouse or guest and all children living at home under 25.
EMAIL ME (amanda@amandagore.com) if you would like to book one of these holidays, or if you'd like to become a member of our Joy Travel Tribe. It sure is the most joyful job I have ever had!
Let's Go on the Journey of Your Life
