Why not live every day like its vacation? Experience the simple pleasures in life, embrace happiness in the moment! These thoughts came to me on Day One of my trip in Calgary, Alberta, while I enjoyed a delish, healthy vegan lunch (yellow split pea veggie burger with beet hemp seed green salad, veggie chips and hummus) on a balcony overlooking the distant mountains.
Here I was, on the west coast of Canada in Calgary visiting Jessica, a dear friend and roommate from my SE Asia GAdventures tour. Remember that once-in-a-lifetime trip?! If not, then check out that blog article to see how I embraced being out of my element, began taking more risks, broke free of self-imposed boundaries and was reassured that anything is possible!
Perhaps it was the way I chose to spend my first day in Calgary that had me all relaxed and reconnecting to this summertime vacation feeling. With a walk back from a healthy food market (which reminded me of Wild by Nature or Trader Joe’s with a café/green juice bar), finalizing a blog article for Huffington Post, an afternoon run on a scenic nature bike trail, followed by a sushi dinner with Jessica and a late evening chat about life, I was as happy as could be! It was the perfect way to begin my birthday month – adventures, good times, and celebrating the best that’s yet to come!
On Day Two, it was a road trip to see the absolutely mesmerizing views at Lake Louise in Banff National Park and a 10k nature hike up the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Along our hike, we walked the pebbled water walkway there and back, which was easier and not as scary compared to the hike in Luang Prabang, Laos to visit an elephant camp that began with a long rope bridge suspended above a river! Then we were off to Johnston Canyon for a 2 mile hike to its beautiful waterfalls, about 8 miles of hiking for the day. Finally, we finished the evening with a leisurely outdoor delish dinner (salmon, roasted beets and carrots) at Earl’s Kitchen & Bar and walked around the Banff Resort town. All in all, an amazing day experiencing the best Alberta, Canada has to offer!!
On the last day of my trip, after a morning yoga class, we checked out the Calgary Fringe Festival of Theatre in Inglewood/Downtown Calgary. We saw Ten Commandments from the Psych Ward, a comedy based on true stories told by a former psychiatric nurse and Half and Half, an Improv show. Calgary Fringe Festival is a definite must see and should be experienced while in Calgary during late summer!
Couldn’t believe how much Calgary reminded me of several places I’d traveled to before. Calgary suburbs are much like Dana Point/Laguna Beach, California in respect to a neighborhood crowning the valley hills. Calgary Downtown is similar to Chicago and Seattle with its city buildings, The Bow being the tallest building at 58 stories and the 2nd tallest building in all of Canada outside of Toronto. Then there’s the Calgary Tower at 1,228 meters above sea level, making it the highest 360° observation deck in the world! Banff National Park at Lake Louise reminded me of Lake Lucerne, Switzerland and Chamonix, France in the French Alps. Banff resort town also has a similar feel to Chamonix’s resort town and even resembled Antigua, Guatemala with its volcano situated behind the town.
Why not live every day like its vacation? Well, the answer is…we can – if we learn to slow down and focus, rather than rush around trying to get everything done on our to-do list, like it’s a race to see who can accomplish the most in one day – seriously! This just keeps us in a never ending cycle of stress, our senses half awake, while our minds are hyper focused on the task rather than simply experiencing everything this vibrant life has to offer, in the moment and with the inner peace of knowing that every little thing will get done.
Promise me that you’ll start to look for ways you can take it down a notch. Even if it’s just on the weekends to counterbalance the chaos, demands and responsibilities, so you can live life, experience your passions, and chase your dreams and goals.
Recognize this. You’re not behind on your to-do list, or in life, or with your dreams. As long as you are making an effort towards your list and taking some consistent action toward your dreams and passions, then trust it will work itself out. Less is more. So breathe and take a look around, as if you’re seeing everything for the first time. What have you been missing?
Absolutely Mesmerizing views at Lake Louise in Banff National Park on our hike in the Canadian Rocky Mts – 8/2013
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