Two of my favorite things to do in life are set goals and travel. I started both at a very young age, which I attribute to my success.
As a mother, I hope to instill these habits into my children. Why? Because it helps them dream and define what is really important to them. Secondly, it builds self-esteem as they achieve their goals. I have a one-year goal list, a 5-year goal list and a 10-year goal list filled with projects I want to do, things I want to experience and places I want to visit. These lists help keep me focused and motivated.
Recently I checked another box on my goal list. Sharing a mother-daughter adventure to India.
India is not high on many peoples list for lots of reasons, however, if your lucky enough to hear about someone else’s experience in traveling there, you just may be inspired to go. After I returned from my first trip, I spoke with Alexa about Indian energy, the animals, the unique experiences – like the Ganges River, the flowers, the people, the many religions, and the peacefulness I felt there.
I went to an ashram called Ananda and did yoga and prayed, toured cities crowded enough to make you dizzy, and watched methodical tea workers tend to the fields in Darjeeling. My hikes in the Himalayas grounded me and changed my energy.
I am glad to say Alexa found India as magical as I did! We toured Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Udaipur and Varanasi.
Each city filled our senses. One morning I heard Alexa scream – a monkey had come thru the balcony door to steel her coveted banana! We enjoyed the bridal market in Delhi, a palm reader in Jaipur, riding elephants up to a palace, visiting a school of underprivileged children, being invited to see the private interiors of a Maharajahs home, and watching the ceremony of the dead in Varanasi. All of these experiences were deeply moving.
I am so glad I had this time alone with her to share fresh food, learn, and share our gratitude for our lives and making plans for the future.
Wherever you are reading this, I hope our pictures and words thru this experience give you a tasty flavor of magical India.
The goal list helped us co create a special bond – just think what a goal list or a trip to India could change for you!!
All my love,
Randy