Winning Strategies

Bungalow View in Bora Bora

From the other side of my deck, I have a totally different view. It is calming- surrounded by nature that surpasses comprehension. I stare out at a peak on the main island as I read about Greg Mortenson's hike up K2. I'm reading his book- Three Cups of Tea (http://www.amazon.com/Three-Cups-Tea-Mission-Promote/dp/0143038257/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271307958&sr=8-1)

Michael has gone for a run on the beach and I'm enjoying the silence of my little bungalow, still feeling a little ill. I am swept up in thoughts of my life's journey since the book came out and how much fun it has been (http://www.amazon.com/Winning-Strategies-Women-Bethany-Williams/dp/1929976445/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271308048&sr=1-1). I am blessed beyond belief. I had set out on a journey to chase my dreams and am somewhat amazed that they have culminated. I speak so regularly on what people can achieve when they dream, plan and take steps in the right direction- but I'm not positive that I even completely believed it for myself.

It is so powerful to have time to sit and think. It is enlightening to take opportunities to evaluate your life and redirect the paths that are not going in the right direction.

So here I sit, staring out over the blue green waters of the island, transfixed in a dream with my eyes open. Here I am enjoying one of the most beautiful places on earth when not that long ago I struggled to feed my children as a single parent with not enough to go around. Today I'm pondering the road of life and where it takes you and where it doesn't. Where would you like the road of life to take you?

Touring the Island by Jeep

Yesterday- we decided to rent a jeep and tour the island of Tahiti before departing to Bora Bora the following day. We rented a jeep at the airport Avis and began our trek around the entire island. It is hard to get lost on an island- since there basically only one road, and if you drive on it long enough--you end up back where you started.
We stopped to watch the surfers and ventured further, stopping to hike to this amazing waterfall. The sky decided that now was the time to rain, so we enjoyed a little water from the sky concurrently with spray from the waterfall. It was beautiful.

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Dinner at Le Carre at Le Meridien in Tahiti

Tonight we dined at the Le Carre Restaurant at the Le Meridien in Tahiti. The food at the hotel has been scrumptious. Breakfast consists of a breakfast buffet, complete with omelet station (which you know I love), fresh fruit, freshly squeezed juices, vegetables, and sashimi just to name a few of the delectable items. Of course they have french pastry, LOTS of french pastry which I'm trying desperately to avoid so that I'm not packing on the pounds while I'm away (laugh).

We dined at the French restaurant this evening and had the Mahi Mahi. It was served prepared four varying ways. Yummy. It was so delicious. I'm attaching a picture to give you a perspective. We are 5 hours behind our normal time zone- so we still have time to go for a drive. Till later...

Another Day in Paradise

Ok- I admit it. I could get use to living in paradise. This morning we hiked further up the hill than previous days. Our pace quickened and we climbed with fervor. We passed an open gate that appeared to be a private driveway and continued to climb higher and higher. There is something titillating about exertion mixed with an incredible view. It is earlier than we are normally up, but we want to get our hike in before our snorkeling trip to swim with the dolphins.
The experience of our hike mentally rejuvenates me. The breeze blows strong and the weather is cooler this morning. Today is cloudier than other days, the sun peeking out on occasion to announce its presence. It is amazing what you think of when you have nothing but time to think. Do you think those thoughts, dreams, and ideas were there all along? Maybe they become trapped behind walls of hustle and bustle--unable to break through the walls that we build. It is a bit of an 'AHA' moment. It is soul searching at its best. Soon I'll be swimming with the dolphins and I'll write more.
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Life could go anywhere from here

Some of you are disillusioned and unhappy with where your life has taken you. Life could go anywhere from here. It could move in a variety of directions, taking you closer to where you want to go. Don't lose heart. I suggest you spend some quiet time alone, no music, no television and no voices or sounds of any kind. Listen to yourself. As you still the noises around you, you will be able to hear yourself. You will be able to create a plan. Everything starts with a thought. We tend to spend more time planning a trip to the grocery store than we spend planning our lives. Be focused. Be determined. Find a path that you want to be on and begin walking in that direction.
I remember feeling like a plan wouldn't help, like all was lost and hopeless. It is never hopeless. All is never truly lost. What is the worst that could happen? You could go from unhappy to content and satisfied. It wouldn't hurt to try.

Relax

The storm clouds threaten off in the distance and I fear that we may get a few sprinkles of rain. I could do a commercial for the amazing AT&T 3G network- as it has been the only network here in Tahiti that has allowed me to load pictures to the blog and facebook.
I wrote a chapter on Book 2 and have only 1 more chapter remaining to write (and a ton of editing). It has taken me 18 months to write this one and because of the length of time that it has taken, some of the ideas don't yet flow. It seems the longer that you take to write, the more editing is required to make it flow seamlessly from one idea to another- from one chapter to another.
French is being spoken all around me and I understand very little of the surrounding conversations. Tomorrow we are planning a snorkel trip with some dolphins and will be renting a car from Avis to expore the island before we fly over to Bora Bora.

The Climb

This is the view from the top of the hill. Whew. It doesn't look high but it is a steep climb. It reminds me of life's climb; sometimes it is steeper and harder than other times. Sometimes it is unbearable and other times it is pure joy. I think of my daughter Heather and the climb that we have been on since we lost her dad. Sometimes it has been a rough road. I'm proud of her for her resiliency and ability to push through. She is almost through college and has climbed another hill in her life that will summit in December. What challenges are you facing that seem unbearable?
What has life dealt you that you think you cannot overcome? Continue to climb. You will summit. You will overcome the hills in your life.

Early Morning Hike

We start off for an invigorating hike, eager to hike up to the peak of a neighboring hill to wake up our metabolism and begin the day with a good workout. Ahhhhhh- exert-- breath-- relax. Exert-- breath-- relax. The rhythm of the hike is refreshing.
I have been remiss in my exercise routine of late and it feels good to get back into a rhythm of life that involves exercise and caring for myself. Let's face it- we should always be taking care of our bodies- but we so often forget, get busy, or simply become too lazy to keep our routine. Today is a new day. It is never to late to begin a new routine.

View from Deck of the Room

This is one of the views from the gorgeous deck of our room. It is a spacious deck with a couch, 2 sitting chairs, and 2 lounge chairs. The deck encircles the room on 3 sides, giving us many angles to view the beautiful scenery. I feel instantly inspired by the beauty of the scenery and the sounds of the birds singing in the background.

The waves crash into the reef, some ways away from shore. It makes the shoreline very peaceful and quieter than most beaches. It is early in the day--- 7ish-- but people have already begun to convene at the pool. The sun is already bright and the day warm.

Le Meridien Papeete Tahiti

We have found the Le Meridien Hotel in Papeete Tahiti delightful. The staff have gone out of their way to insure that our stay is perfect. Our room faces the beach on one side, and the pool on the other. We have a 180 degree view from the one bedroom suite- it is simply amazing. From our room, we can see the huts out over the water. We are going to stay in one when we get to Bora Bora on Monday. It will be fun.
Tonight we enjoyed a Tahitian Show in the restaurant and were entertained by talented local residents. (How do they move like that? I'll never understand.).
After one day of complete relaxation, I still feel a little wound up by the stresses of work, kids, and just life in general. My goal is to get to a point of total relaxation where I leave ALL the stresses of life behind. That generally takes 3 days. It is worth working towards (grin). More to come...