Choose to be Happy
Travel is Personal Experience Done Best with Positive Attitude
The Signal - Business Section, September, 2005
Happiness, like travel, is such a personal experience. What it boils down to is your view of the world and how you react to unplanned situations and delays. Is the proverbial glass half empty, or half full? You decide.
Really, it’s all about personality, attitude and choice. We all know travelers who return from an exotic destination in a faraway land only to share a slew of complaints. Starting with the postponed flight out of LAX all the way through the too-soft mattress at the hotel, and the cold sea water at the beach, nothing seemed to please them. Trip ruined.
But come on now. As if we had any control over this anyway, these travelers choose to have a negative experience. If the pilot finds it necessary to remain grounded for an additional hour in an effort to protect passenger safety, so be it. Delays aren’t all bad, especially when it becomes a matter of flight safety or security.
As we all know, these types of occurrences are a way of life for travelers. Again, we have the choice to go with the flow or turn negative. Or, we can stay home to avoid poor weather, bad food or flight delays. I say we pack the umbrella and prepare for a rainstorm. Travel is exciting. Seeing new places and experiencing unexplored adventures can be satisfying, rain or shine.
Because travel is so attainable for most people, more are grabbing their passports and heading out to see the world. With such a vast selection of countries and destinations to visit, hotels and resorts to stay in, cruises to take, restaurants, museums and shows to enjoy, everyone can find somewhere to go. Your idea of the perfect vacation is unique to you, so plan it.
The commonality all people share toward travel is the anticipation and looking forward to a trip yet untaken. Then, upon returning home, the bragging rights are yours too. So why waste them on the stuff that didn’t go exactly as planned. Tell grand stories about the good things that happened while on adventure. At the end of the day, your memories are the best keepsake of any vacation. Photos are good too.
So what if it pours down tropical rain during your kayak day trip in Kauai? It was still an experience that brought you hiking through the jungle to a hidden waterfall for a glimpse of the rainbow when the sun peeked out. By all accounts, the day and the entire trip was a success.
When it comes to travel, what makes all of us happy is spending time with our friends, family and companions. Quality time with those we care about is enhanced when it is taking place in an interesting foreign destination, sunny resort or snowy ski town. Only Mother Nature can determine the cosmic weather pattern, so let’s give it up to her. We have a choice.
Whether the ultimate travel adventure is an incredible life experience or a big pain in the neck, only you can decide. The fun of travel is all in how you choose to roll with the experience. Don’t worry, be happy.
Commentary provided by Eric Maryanov, president and founder of All-Travel.com, the Los Angeles-based travel management company with an office in Valencia. He can be reached at 661.775.7511..
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