8.15.2012

Momentos to Life.

I decided to watch one of my favorite movies, Eat, Pray, Love today.  I related so much to Julia Roberts in that movie the first time I watched it.  I seriously felt at the time that the movie was made for me.  I remember so clearly the part where Liz tells her friend,  "Do You know what I felt when I woke up this morning, Delia? Nothing! No passion, no spark, no faith, no heat, absolutely nothing! I think I’ve really gotten pass the point where I could be calling this a bad moment. And it just, it terrifies me. Jesus, this is worse than death to me. The idea that this is the person I’m gonna be from now on?!
Delia: You know what? This happens to people. They fall in love in their 20s, they get married, they do the granit counter top, white picket fence thing in their 30s. And somewhere in there they realize ‘this is not for me anymore’. And so they fail, they fall down, they hurt like hell, they straighten up and march their bruised asses to the shrink’s office. They can’t just check out.
Liz: I am not checking out. I need to change.
Delia: You have a support system here, Liz. You have friends and family who love you.
Liz: And do you feel my love? For you? My support for you? No! There’s like nothing! I have no pulse! *sigh* I’m going to Italy.
Delia: Italy? Why Italy.
Liz: What did you have for lunch today?
Delia: I don’t know. Salad?
Liz: Exactly. I used to have this appetite, for food, for my life. And it is just gone. I just want to go someplace where I can  marvel at something. Language, gelatto, spaghetti.. something!"

I remember understanding so much how Liz felt.  It was exactly what I felt before I decided to go to Australia.  It is the reason I decided to go to Australia.  I had the exact same conversation with almost everyone in my life. So, the plan was to travel the world.  I had no destination, I just knew I needed to leave. Everyone thought I was crazy.  I had worked for 3 years saving my pennies.  For what? At the time, I didn't know for what, but when I saw this movie it was clear as crystal.  I was going to go to Australia for 4 months, Italy for 4 months, and then Hawaii for 4 months.  The moment I landed in OZ, it was literally like I had been numb my whole life and suddenly I could feel! It was like a veil had been lifted from my eyes, and for the first time in my life, I felt!

It’s such a beautiful thing, being able to look at your past and realize why things happened the way that they did.  Sometimes, you’ll never know, but sometimes you can see it once you are past it. To this day, I don't regret a single moment of my life because it brought me to this very place in San Diego where I finally found the peace and joy that I have been looking for my entire life (but more on that later)...

I have an app on my phone and iPod called Momento.  It’s a sweet little diary-esque app, where you can jot down daily notes, tag pictures, places, and people.  Best part is, you can lock it.  But I am going to do the unthinkable and unlock my diary entries from my year in Australia.  Looking back on where I was before Australia, all the ups and downs I went through in Australia, and then where I am now, I’d say I learned some great life lessons.  I always say that time warps when your travelling, and a year can feel like a lifetime worth of knowledge and experience.  So, I’d say I’m pretty wise, haha, not.  Anyways, I hope you find something worthwhile in these.

Suffocated with pollution, anxiety, and expectations, I escaped on a plane to Australia.  The best part about this story is that it worked.  From the moment I hopped on the plane in Denver, Colorado to my friend's house on the other side of the planet in Sydney, Australia, my life turned upside down, again and again. 

Momento: Day 1 (On the plane)

Flying to Oz.  Remember the importance of being kind to everyone no matter old or young.  Don’t judge anyone.  Talk about what you love.Positive thoughts=what you loveNegative thoughts=what you don’t loveWhat you give=What you receiveAmplify good feelings@ Think nonstop positive thoughts.Give love through good feelings.  A change of feeling is a change in destiny.Joy. Hope. Passion. Excitement.You determine the outcome of a situation based on how you feel about it.
Before I embarked on my journey, I felt nothing.  Now, I feel excited, passionate, and blissful.  Now I am on a new frequency.  I have the power to change the way I feel and when I change my circumstance, Instantaneously, my life changes!  {I listened to the Audiobook, 'The Power' ('The Secret' sequel) the entire 16 hour flight}


Momento: Day 3 (Just arrived in Sydney)

Put forth a clear enough request and everything your heart desires must come to you! The universe is endlessly bountiful.  1st day in Sydney: Walked in warm rain. Tour guide taxi driver. Eiffel tower keychain in the mailbox.  Walking into an empty house. Ricotta cake at an Italian café.  G’day mailman and hot Aussie boys.  Short shorts, high waist.  Side pony tails & tied crop tops.  Feels like paradise. Feels like Danny Deckchair.  No worries, no stress.  I feel like I am meant to be here.  I just walked past a church sign that said “In 2011, give your worries to God.”





{Pictures 1,2,&7 via Tumblr}

4 comments:

  1. eat.pray.love is a story I've watched over and over again too. Quite related to Liz story in some point in my life, and you want to know who you really are or what you want in life. Apart what's the importance of your life. Are you leaving to the person who you are or just to the person whom you love. It's a great movie, an eye opener in some point. I don't travel as far as you do, but can say that I learned to appreciate life in a way that I could choose what to be the person I like. More power to you and God bless you more in what you want in life. Can't wait for your Italy post and please upload more photos as you can if you're still looking to it. I'll be in your shadow as I can't able to have luxurious trip.I'm longing to travel in Italy as I saw that movie.:)

    audrinajulia.blogspot.com

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  2. thanks for sharing your momento entries! I can totally relate to the feelings that Liz had in Eat, Pray, Love--the same ones you felt before leaving Colorado. In 20 days I will be leaving for a 6 month trip to Australia, and I find myself filled with anxiety, self doubt, and nervousness. I hope my journey turns out to be as enlightening as yours.

    Leah
    hikinginheels.net

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  3. What a lovely insight into your journey....thanks for opening up your life for a peek inside...

    This is my favorite part- I'm so anxious for the rest of the story....It’s such a beautiful thing, being able to look at your past and realize why things happened the way that they did. ...I finally found the peace and joy that I have been looking for my entire life (but more on that later)...

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  4. Just discovered your blog and LOVE it! Now following you xx

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