Shecky’s

Wow is life.

This week, I realized that I am a constant tourist. I do not name myself this because of my frequent travels, but because I notice that I am always in wonderment. No matter where I am, I am in wonderment, looking around with big eyes of awe.

I have just spent over two months overseas in lovely small towns in Italy and Greece. I was soaking it all up—the flowers, the beaches, the sunsets, the foods, the people, the streets, the buildings, the interactions, every last bit of it. I was with it all. I was fully available to acknowledge the beauty in it all.

Returning to the USA, to Los Angeles, where I have lived and worked around many a time, I noticed that I was seeing everything for the first time again. I craned my neck to see it all. I was pausing to check things out that I had never noticed before. I was acting like a tourist in many ways. Taking photos, asking questions, purely being amazed at such little things. I was a tourist in my old town.

Thinking back, I have been living like this for quite a while. In my current home of New York City, I pause in wonderment on streets with nothing extraordinary. When I go to visit my family in my hometown, I am in wonderment. I am basically in wonderment for all of life and all of its inhabitants.

No matter where I go, I see this now. I truly see and feel how amazing it all is and how amazing we all are. No matter the scenery, the culture, the circumstances being here, living it just is amazing.

I have been an avid, active traveler for the past eight years, but really in the past few years have I noticed this constant tourist-ness and I know why. It is because I am no longer in my head. I am in the now, not worried about what happened, or might happen or is happening. I am not weighed down by stress or doubts. I am not stuck in fears, shame, blame, shoulds or coulds.

I am in the for real, right here, right now! And, you know what? There is a lot to be present for. There is an abundance of amazing in this right here and now, in all places worldwide. You can be constant tourist in your own town everyday, all day. I invite you to be one. Look around with new eyes. Look around with the gratitude shock I have channeled in my return to the USA. No matter who you are, no matter where you are, you are surrounded by amazing, inside and out.

So, what do you say? Are you going to leave all the mind junk behind and join me in a life of wonderment?

Much Love & Gratitude

Your Joyologist,

-Tricia, YourJoyologist.com for The Daily Love

Mastin Kipp is the founder of The Daily Love, a website, daily email and Twitter account that’s merging pop culture with inspiration. He is also the co-founder of Self Approved Clothing, Ltd, a lifestyle apparel company that’s started a global self-esteem movement. The Daily Love has quickly become the fastest growing inspirational Twitter account and email list on the internet and reaches almost 400,000 people daily. Sign up for The Daily Love’s email to receive your daily dose of love>

GIRL TALK TIME: Have you ever held yourself back? What do you think of these suggestions?