It's going to be extraordinary!

Excerpt from "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" as they are on the bus in India for the first time:

          EVELYN

          D'you think we're going to be

          alright?

          GRAHAM

          God, don't ask me. I'm more

          scared than you are.

          (They both smile, sit in silence for a bit)

          GRAHAM (CONT'D)

          Yes. I think it's going to be

          extraordinary.

I was watching this movie again tonight as a sort of inspiration for my upcoming trip and this line struck me.  I have had a lot of different reactions from people when they hear about my plans, from excited to shocked, from telling me they wished they could go to trying to talk me out of it.  So let me tell you how I’m really feeling.  When I made the decision to go, I knew in my heart it was the right decision and I was very excited.  Then, as packing went on and I tried to imagine what items I would want and which I wouldn’t, I started to wonder.  What will it be like?  Where will I go?  There was one night that I got a little impatient with packing and wished it were done already.  But in that same moment I realized, sitting in my beautifully decorated bedroom that has been my sanctuary these last eight years, I need to be in this moment.  Before I know it, the packing will be done, the condo will be sold, and I will never see it again.  So don’t wish it away.  Thoroughly enjoy every minute of the process and don’t worry about how long it’s taking.  It will be done soon enough, and I will be on to the next thing.  I have never been overly attached to places, so moving is not too difficult for me. I will miss this place, but I come full circle to why I made the decision to do this in the first place and I still know in my heart that it is the right decision.  It’s surreal, packing up everything that represents the first 36 years of my life, trying to imagine what it will be like living out of a suitcase.  It makes me look at the world differently.  I have practiced zen focus and being in the present moment, but I believe that this decision is causing me to be even more present and slow down even my everyday movements.  

The packing of the “stuff,” the items, is almost done and I am moving into making arrangements for the furniture and cleaning the condo to get it ready for market.  There are lots of little details to work out but I am making nice progress and things are going smoothly.  Until next week!