KerryOn: Breathe in the Day

My husband and I spent several weeks this summer traveling internationally for work and vacation. In total we visited five countries (four of which were new to us). Our first trip began in New Zealand, a place we had never visited. We were mesmerized as we drove the rocky cliffs along the ocean shores, high hills, and low valleys. We then went to Sydney, Australia; one of our favorite cities to visit! Our second trip was a road trip through the capital cities of Sweden, Norway, and Denmark with stays in small towns along the way. The topography and the trees as we drove through the countryside were identical to the area in which we currently live. At times, it felt as if we were driving on the same highways we use every day at home. It was beautiful.

International travel provides a unique opportunity to observe other ways of life and reflect upon the way we live ours. For instance, in Europe, regardless of the place we stayed the breakfast buffet was consistent: fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese, cold cuts, fresh-baked breads, and the myriad options of yogurt products were always available. Also, the atmosphere was exactly the same, relaxed and never rushed.

We mimicked the people who surrounded us. We moved with a gentle ease whether we were driving alongside them on the roads, or we were standing packed in a subway. We never heard the honking of a car horn, so we didn’t use ours. We didn’t see other drivers hugging the bumper of the car in front of them, so we gave plenty of distance to the cars ahead of us. We saw people calmly wait for others to get off the subway before boarding, so we did the same thing. After a few days, we began to get the international rhythm of relaxed living. We began to breathe in the day a bit more easily.

Everyone seemed calm and at peace, and we began to adopt the feeling, our shoulders dropping just a bit. As we walked through cities from one site to the next, it wasn’t about the destination for us it was about the journey. We would look at the buildings and catch the sun shining on the windows. We would point out artwork or images on signs that made us smile. We tried new foods, bursting with unfamiliar flavors. We picked the path that went through the park instead of the shortcut around it. We actually stopped to literally smell the roses instead of hurrying past. We breathed in the day.

You don’t have to travel thousands of miles to breathe in the day. You can stop to enjoy the colors of the flowers in the neighbor’s garden. You can try a new restaurant or meal and enjoy each course. You can slowly enjoy a warm beverage on a cool morning, away from devices or screens. You can find a path or trail you have never walked before and see where it takes you. There are so many explorations we can find around us right in our backyard. All it takes is for us to be in the moment and breathe in the day.

We’ve discovered that many people are like us, when it comes to travel; there is always the next trip in mind. You can uncover something special about yourself when you are immersed in a new experience. Each trip provides an opportunity to learn something new or to relearn something we may have forgotten. Until our next trip, I’m going to keep practicing the lesson learned of being relaxed and not rushed. I’ll find ways to keep breathing in the day.

KerryOn Questions

- How would you feel if you took a moment to breathe in the day?

- What are daily activities that would provide you the opportunity to feel relaxed and not rushed, to allow you to breathe in the day?

- What are some ways you can remind yourself to keep breathing in the day?

The Kerry behind KerryOn

My name is Kerry K. Fierke, Ed.D. (pron. Fear-Key) I have a unique combination of skills and experience – decades of fast-paced corporate experience in Fortune 100 companies and large health care organizations, combined with the academic rigor of a highly ranked research university. My focus is supporting others to create their own path to leadership development, lifelong learning, and a unique leadership legacy. Take a moment to focus on leadership, then KerryOn!

To see all KerryOn's and other leadership stuff, visit www.kerrykfierke.com.