The 50th Chapter - How to grow your own treasures.

Dec 27/16

This is the first Christmas holidays in my adult life that I did not have any holiday plans with family and friends.  This was something I was uncomfortable with however with both of my older children's blessing I did book a trip for a vacation.

I have referenced about the movie Hector and His Search of Happiness and just this morning I was able to live, in real life, a part of that movie on this trip.  Countless times I have met great people and had incredible experiences on a daily basis.  Christmas morning I woke up alone in a beautiful vacation paradise with no plans.  Later on that day I ended up having a Christmas dinner on a beach with a doctor, social worker, ex-marine and a investment banker.  All of whom I did not know 24 hours previously.

The experience of the moment can be best explained perfect randomness and a great time was has by all - all of us complete strangers and left our families and friends at home.  I can not speak of the motivation to the whys of the others in our group - however for myself it was a journey and search for what is missing in my life.  Yesterday was a day of rest and reflection and it was only when I was doing my morning run, I realized a leg of my quest was now complete.

I read once of a young boy that would sit close to his home under a tree - often dreaming about finding a buried treasure, as he was a poor boy.  He ended up going on a long journey for his buried riches and had several experiences that enriched his life.   Near the end of his quest - he was directed back to that original tree he spent so much time dreaming of distant far away treasures and under that tree he discovered a large treasure.

I did not see the full meaning of that story until today and realized this trip has provided me with the realization that my children and family are my treasure.  I now know my next part of my life will be dedicated to staying where I currently live and provide the best I can for my family.  For truly, like the young boy in the story, I have realized my treasure is in front of me all along.

I have always tried to do this in the past however sometimes I felt a sense of restlessness or a need to life a gypsy lifestyle.   The feeling of the need to travel and search for more out there for me to discover.  Now I realize all I need is at home and if my children decide to move away someday - I will encourage them to do so but I will remain here.

With excitement I am enjoying the moment and looking forward to my next moment of growth realization of when learning will occur.

I am truly grateful to be able to realize when I have been provided the gift to "Level Up" and to be able to now recognize this process in my life.