The Happy Place

Here I go again. Solo. My doing. My Choice.

Uneasy.

Life continues to spin at revolutions faster than should be allowed, but I signed up for it like the tilt-a-whirl at the county fair.

Sometimes life makes you feel like a failure even when you are winning. The dichotomy between the haves and wants continues to keep me both up at night, and spinning around the world.

Breakups are hard. It doesn’t mean the people are bad. I’ve said it before, and I suspect I’ll say it again.

For what it’s worth, like other “opportunities” before me over the last 22 months, they force me to think, reevaluate, and focus on the future. It is what’s in front of all of us after-all.

A good friend and confidant reminded me of this lesson on a recent phone call. Superstitious or whatever you want to call it, why look back when you can look forward? Not at all meant to be harsh, or critical, but the past is the past and you can’t undo it, so onwards I go.

I’ve listed my house for sale. The Main St Charmer was my pride and joy, and a project I will forever be thankful for, but in the same token, one that is time to part ways with. I find myself, or put myself, in these same situations over and over again, lessons I apparently still need to learn while grasping towards something that isn’t there. Life isn’t always easy, but it doesn’t mean it can’t remain fun. I choose fun.

Lessons from the past year and a half of travel have been many. And the people and friends that have both come in and out of my life have forever shaped me for the better.

The hurt and the pain doesn’t easily go away, but with that comes personal growth, reflection and new opportunities…as unclear as that may seem right now.

As I set sail on the next 16 nights onboard the Carnival Spirit, sailing from Seattle to New Orleans, spirit is exactly what I hope to find. Booked Dec 2, 2023 at the grand total of $666.65 including a balcony room, a drink package, WiFi, port taxes, fees and prepaid gratuities, I feel as if the Cole of the past knew the Cole of the future was going to need a distraction of my “happy place” onboard a cruise ship.

Don’t get me wrong, I am excited about the voyage, the destinations, connecting with friends from prior sailings in Cabo and in New Orleans, and the opportunity meet new friends that share the love of travel. Three new countries are on-tap, which will bring the total to forty!

The next several months will be busy with work, travel, this potential house sale and whatever else life throws my way. I hope it’s filled with growth and new opportunities.

The photo book “People n Places: The Untold Story” is almost finished and will be published differently than “Filling My Bucket: A Year of Solo Travel Across Seven Continents.” More details to follow, but a simpler path with less fanfare is forthcoming…in publishing and in life. I am ready, actually trained, for this exact moment and I am going to run with it. Opportunities are only opportunities if you see them and take them.  My eyes are wide open.

So as you see me smile, and travel, and living a life that you think you want to live yourself, also know that there is extreme pain and sadness that accompanies the joy and adventure. You can have it all, you just have to be ready for when it smacks you straight on the face.

Cole from Colorado

Over and Out (and proud)

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