This week I’m travelling in Japan with my family. Part of our decision to move to Australia from the USA several years ago was to live life to the fullest – to intentionally break out of our routines and experience the world beyond our day-to-day existence. It’s amazing how 14 hours on a plane took us from the Australian Outback to one of the most bustling, cosmopolitan cities in the world. I’m grateful to live in a day when that’s possible.
Yesterday we visited Meiji Jingu and leaned into the peacefulness and beauty of the shrine. On our way in, each of our children selected a poem and our son’s was written by Emperor Meiji. He wrote over 100,000 poems in his lifetime. The power of his words touched me and I wanted to share them with you. It’s my hope that you will reflect on your own life and find places where you can open to love, connection and relationships to live life to the fullest.
Blue sweep of heavens
Wide and clear ~
Might my heart share
Their spaciousness!
~ Emperor Meiji
Consider:
“Let your heart, even in the midst of routine daily life, be as open and spacious as the wide blue sky above. This is one aspect of true-heartedness.”
Where do you need to open to life and love more fully? What change can you make to live your life to the fullest?
Enjoy your fantastic travels, Alli!
I love how you see the world through the eyes of each person leading to their fullest. Each experience brings us knowledge and wisdom.
I can’t wait to travel some more too!
Thanks, Terri! I agree, each experience does bring us knowledge and wisdom if we open to it. It’s amazing what happens when you begin to look for the lessons in the everyday – and the great adventures. Learning is everywhere.
~ Alli
I’ve been wondering all week if you made your trip back to the U.S. yet and then you show up in Tokyo! I am so glad you are getting this time with family and having an adventure, and learning together! Big hugs to you!
Thanks, Chery! Will be back in the USA before I know it. Glad to have this opportunity in Japan. We intentionally decided to not try to cram in too much daily. It’s given us the flexibility to marry our plans with whimsy too.
Our time at the Meiji shrine was a moving experience for all of us.
xo ~
Alli
Have a wonderful trip, Alli!
I’ve been traveling a lot lately and feel torn—my interactions on social media are not as timely and work projects are not getting the attention they need. But, it’s a wonderful thing to tick off a bucket list item or reconnect with family.
And yes, we should be grateful for those opportunities 🙂
I have a ton of travel on the horizon over the next few months and I’m definitely not keeping up with everything. Good news is that means we’re out experiencing the world 🙂
Thanks, LaRae!
I don’t know that I have lived my life to the Fullest at the same time it is a copy tinting adventure for sure. Enjoy your trip.
Tom
I don’t know that I’ve lived my life to the fullest at all times either but those moments where I am, the universe definitely feels like it expands.
Thanks so much, Tom!
Beautiful, Alli! Thanks for inviting us all in to that experience. Big love.
Thanks, Blair! Been a joy and that particular poem is now travelling with me in my wallet as a reminder to step forward to create meaning instead of longing for it.
xo
Konnichiwa, Alli-san…genki desu ka
That trip is on my list as well – happy you get to share it with your family
Namaste,
Carl
I’m doing well, my friend! It’s been on our list for a very long time and a few months ago my husband and I looked at each other and agreed…
There will never be the day that the plane tickets cost just what we want (free?)
We will always find reasons why now is not a good time
We will figure out how to make it work.
That night we bought the tickets before we could back out and talk ourselves out of it for the billionth time.
Enjoying every moment. Only two more days to go! Flies by!
All the best to you, Carl!
Oh, wow! What an amazing opportunity for your family. Have a blast!
Thanks, Karin! Last day is tomorrow! On to Kyoto and then back home this weekend. Trying to blend ease with all we want to do and see.
I am SO inspired by you Alli and know you are having amazing travels! I look forward to the day that our schedules align and we share some coffee or lunch together. I appreciate you my friend. ENJOY all the moments!
Thanks, Cindy! We had an amazing time and one of the things that I’ll never forget is the kindness of the people of Japan.
Also – with you! Look forward to the day when we meet in person 🙂