Start Fresh
In past years, my husband and I made it a point to escape the grind of our daily lives and embark on a journey, even if it’s just for a few days. We leave behind the hustle and bustle and hit the open road. It’s become somewhat of a tradition for us, a way to reconnect and recharge away from the pressures and obligations of our daily routines.
This year, we chose to take a trip to the mountains with the winding roads of the countryside, taking in the sights and sounds of nature as we drove. Jagged mountains stretched before us, a welcome change from the concrete jungle we call home. The air was crisp and clean, carrying the threats of snow.
My husband and I shared our favorite memories from past trips as we drove. We laughed and reminisced, the weight of our daily lives and the worries that come with age melting away with each passing mile. Moments like these remind us of why we fell in love. We took the time to reflect on the wonderful life we shared and how important it is to continue to nurture our relationship.
We eventually reached our destination — a quaint bed and breakfast nestled in the heart of the mountain countryside. Our room was cozy and inviting, with a view of the surrounding pine trees and a fireplace to keep us warm and cozy on chilly nights.
We have taken road trips off and on for the past thirty-eight years. It has become a tradition and ritual that we have rarely broken. Every year, in the last week of that year and or in the first week of the new year, we would get in the car and drive, sometimes to the mountains and sometimes to the desert. Sometimes, we would just take a road trip and drive- passing by familiar landmarks or unfamiliar towns in search of new beginnings and reflections of the past.
Some years, the road trip would be smooth and uneventful, the scenery passing by in a blur as we chattered about our hopes and dreams for the coming year. Setting our goals and making our plans to improve our business and life. In other years, the road would be bumpy and treacherous, forcing us to slow down and navigate carefully, much like the obstacles we faced daily. We took the time to decide how we would navigate our lives in the future and solve the problems at hand.
But we never gave up no matter what the road threw at us. We kept driving. Together, with the shared understanding that this journey was an essential part of our relationship. It helped us identify where we went wrong or where we had achieved success in the past year, and it helped us prioritize and set goals for the new year.
This year, as we drove, I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic and grateful for this tradition and the bond it helped create between my husband and me.
One troublesome year, in the early years, we faced a formidable challenge in our business that demanded a complete overhaul of our strategies. It was a daunting task, akin to turning a massive ship in an entirely new direction. We knew it would be long and arduous, but we were determined to navigate it successfully.
For two years, we worked tirelessly to implement this new approach while maintaining the core principles that had made us successful. It was no easy feat, and there were moments when we doubted ourselves, but we persevered with unwavering determination and perseverance.
Like a captain at the helm, we stirred our ship towards the horizon, constantly adjusting our course and keeping our eyes fixed on our destination. Ultimately, our efforts paid off as we reached our goal and emerged stronger and more resilient through the years.
This experience taught us the power of adaptability and the importance of staying true to our values despite adversity. It had been a turning point for our business, and we emerged from it with a newfound sense of purpose and direction.
In more recent years, there have been times when we had to scrape everything and start fresh, shedding everything that we once clung to, including our homes. Those couple of years were emotional changes, especially since my husband and I had built both houses.
Our primary home, where we had resided for twenty-seven years, was a labor of love, each brick and beam a testament to our dedication and hard work. But as we grew older, the maintenance of such a large property became overwhelming, and the distance from our business became a strain.
Our second home, nestled in the rugged mountains, was also becoming too far for us to drive and too large for us to maintain. I could not bear the thought of my husband navigating the treacherous roads daily for work, even if he tried to reassure me that it would only be a few times a week. I knew him too well; he would never stay away from our family business for that long. Even he had to admit that we needed to move closer.
So, we also sold our second home and got rid of a good portion of the furnishings and personal belongings in both homes to make our lifestyles smaller. We weren’t sure exactly where we would end up living, but as they say, one door closes, and another one opens, and we were more than ready for a change.
Through this challenge, we proved to ourselves that no obstacle is too great and that with perseverance and a clear vision, we still can overcome any challenge that comes our way.
In the early years, there were times when our business was languishing. We had to develop ideas on how to make it grow, attract new customers, or hire new employees.
Then, there were years when the business was doing well, but our personal lives needed more attention. Whether it was teenagers giving us grief or our marriage needed to be worked upon.
The idea is to evaluate and take the time to make a plan. What kind of plan? A plan to make it all better and, yes, sometimes to just start fresh.
Please take the time at the end of the year to look back and look forward. When you take the time, it is much easier to look at your life in small chunks, one year at a time. The problems won’t seem so large; in most cases, they are fixable if you don’t let them go too far.
So, if for some reason you haven’t done this yet. Make sure you stop and take the time to reflect on your situation. How can you make it better? Don’t just survive in this life, Thrive!
As our road trip became shorter, we returned home with fewer goals to focus on. I couldn’t help but feel grateful for all the past road trips that brought us closer together and enabled us to obtain all our life successes.
A life of hard work, performed with much love and happiness, can sometimes feel short. The satisfaction of a job well done with our family and business brings the gratification of a well-lived life.
Today's primary focus is staying healthy and spending time with family.
Like all the rest, looking back at a life full of fond memories, this road trip will add something valuable to the new year.
We look forward to setting our goals for many more years to come.
Happy New Year, and may your travels be healthy and prosperous!
