Why I’m the luckiest person on the planet, Redux

“Happiness is the center and success revolves around it.”—Shawn Achor

I was thinking about one of my favorite songs this morning and decided it was time to “play it again, Sam!” If you haven’t heard this one lately, it’s worth the time it takes to listen. Scroll down. It’s at the bottom of this post from last September. Enjoy!

As anyone who follows this blog knows, I have a pretty sweet gig as a travel writer. I get paid to jet off to really cool places, to do things I’d probably never get to do on my own.

Last week, I was in Istanbul and the Black Sea region of Turkey. Although I’ll be writing travel articles about my experiences (visiting ancient archaeological sites, tea plantations and remote mountain villages and staying in the same sultan’s palace turned hotel where Madonna and her 25-year-old boy toy stayed during her infamous, flash-the-crowd Istanbul concert), I also experienced a number of metaphysical truths on this fabulous adventure.

First, was my intention to visit Turkey. As you can imagine, I have lots of destinations on my bucket list. Recently, Turkey moved into the top 5. I didn’t obsess about it, just “set it and forget it.” During Ramadan, I was invited to break fast with two Turkish families who live in my hometown. Hmm, I thought. That could be the indication I was getting close like the birds that show up when you’re nearing your destination after a long ocean cruise.

Sure enough, in July, the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism invited me to visit their fabulous country. Thank you, FP!

The next metaphysical truth was “Fear is but an illusion.” On Friday, two days before I was scheduled to leave, the State Department issued a travel warning. I pay no attention to such things, but several friends emailed me the alert. “Danger, danger, Will Robinson!!”

But I focused instead on this lesson from the Course in Miracles, “I am in danger nowhere in the world.” And while one of the journalists did back out, I will be forever grateful that I chose to claim safety and ease wherever I go.

The last metaphysical truth that was on display throughout the country of Turkey is “To give and receive are one in Truth.” Turkish families everywhere we went invited us into their homes, fed us the most stupendous meals (Turkish cuisine is beyond spectacular) and honored us as treasured guests. I have never felt more loved, more secure or more sure that people everywhere are infinitely beautiful, kind and filled with love. There is no better way to learn about abundance than to give it away.

Have the best weekend of your life!!

Pam Grout is the author of 17 books including E-Squared: 9 Do-it-Yourself Energy Experiments that Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality and the soon-to-be-released sequel, E-Cubed, 9 More Experiments that Prove Mirth, Magic and Merriment is your Full-time Gig.