Tis the Season to Be Grateful 

Posted on by goldenlifemusings

I’ve had two revelations recently. One – the more I age, the more I realize how little I know about this world. Sure, I’ve become wiser, as we all should as we age. But the more I know, the more I realize how little I know in comparison to all there is to know under God’s sovereignty. Before I get all philosophical and Ecclesiastes on you – because that’s not what this post is about – let me share the second revelation. With each holiday season, the less I want and the more grateful I am for what I already have.

I’ve made this personal because it’s my blog, but I have a sneaking suspicion that I’m not the only one who’s had this revelation. And while I said I was moving on from Ecclesiastes, I do want to point out something so wise, yet simple and still very relevant that King Solomon wrote in his nearly three-thousand-year-old segment of scripture. Most of what we treasure is meaningless anyway. Well, he said “everything,” but I’m trying to be a little less dramatic.

Before you get the wrong impression though, let me share why this revelation is so encouraging and full of hope. God has already given us the greatest and most valuable gift in the world. We don’t have to wait for it, nor do we have to do any toiling or spending to get it. We already have it. And that “it” I’m referring to is Jesus, in case you didn’t already know. Despite how cliche it sounds, it doesn’t make it any less true – He is in fact, the reason for the season.

I’ve believed in and accepted the gift of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit He left here with me as evidence of His presence for some time now. But the more I’ve gotten to know Him and about Him, the more I value Him and His sacrifice. And the more I value Him, the less value I place on the “stuff” of this world. And that is a gift in and of itself. It’s actually freeing to be more tied to Him and less tethered to the things of this world. 

But, let me be clear. I truly appreciate and am grateful for all the “things of this world” that God has allowed me to have. They have certainly made life more comfortable than it could have been without them. What this revelation has provided me with though, is perspective. And I think we could all benefit from a little of that.

Transparently, this perspective has helped me navigate this very uncertain and uncomfortable season I’ve found myself in recently. Without it, I honestly don’t know how I’d feel. But, what I do know is that I’m grateful. I’m more grateful than I ever have been. And yet, I have less than what I’ve had in other seasons of my life, from a worldly point of view.

I’m sharing this because I know that the more commercialized this season becomes, the harder it is for us to see what really matters, not just for the season, but in life. I hope my revelation has either reminded or ignited in you a fresh perspective that fosters gratitude. Whether you have a little or a lot of what the world has to offer, it truly always is the season to be grateful.  

For more golden life ventures visit www.goldenlifeventures.com.

My Real Trinidadian Vacation

Posted on by goldenlifemusings

There’s nothing quite as powerful for a mindset shift as a change in scenery. 

This week I’m returning from vacation to a place that I visited for the first time earlier this year. I don’t normally visit the same place twice in one year, especially one that is out of the country. However, the first time I visited the beautiful island country of Trinidad, I spent the majority of my time working.

The purpose of my trip this time was a true vacation. Normally my vacations consist of ample time to explore and experience everything a destination has to offer. However, the hustle and bustle of my everyday life had me essentially limping onto the plane, desperate for some relief from all the demands of my life.

The words person that I am, I decided to look up the definition of the word vacation. 

It comes from the Latin word vacātiō, which means “exemption from service, respite from work,” and traces back to vacāre, “to be empty, be free, have leisure.”

I felt all of that on this trip.

While I intended to see a lot more of the county on this visit, it turns out, that’s not really what I needed. I needed to rest. I needed to reset. I needed to restore. I needed to be still. 

And still, I was.

I loved leisurely starting my day each morning with yoga and ginger tea.

I think many of us have come to believe that we always have to be doing something, even on our vacations. Some of us can’t even begin to understand the concept of having leisure. But recently, my pastor Keith Battle inspired me with his series entitled “Margin” to take a deeper look into why I was so drained and exhausted going into my vacation in the first place. 

I lacked margin – what he calls the space between our resources (skills, wisdom, finances, time, etc), which are limited, and our responsibilities (commitments and obligations for work, family, ministry, etc.), which sometimes seem to be never ending. For most of us, that space is non-existent, and even worse, for some of us, our responsibilities exceed our resources. This lack of space between our resources and our responsibilities is exactly what has the majority of us in a constant state of exhaustion.

Going into this vacation with a newfound mindset that gave me the grace and freedom to do nothing, I came back refreshed, renewed, and restored in ways that I haven’t felt from a vacation in a long time. If you’re anything like me, you’re likely in need of a do-nothing vacation too. I know, you may be saying to yourself, I can rest at home. The reality is that most of us don’t. We need that change of scenery (and climate for me) to put us on the road to recovery.

A return visit to Maracas Bay beach was very necessary.
The view from the Maracas Bay Lookout never gets old.

While I did rest a lot, I want you to know that I didn’t come back to my golden life tribe empty-handed. In addition to the Trinidadian treats I shared in the musing from my first visit, “A Trip Fit for a Queen,” I have a few more recommendations for any of you planning to visit.

I couldn’t resist capturing a photo opp under this beautiful tree in the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Take a stroll or have a picnic in the Royal Botanic Gardens. If you are a nature lover, or you just enjoy peaceful, serene environments, this is a must for you. With a mini zoo on the property, filled with lively, colorful birds, it offers an abundance of flora and fauna that is sure to delight your senses. This Garden, which happens to be one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, also offers areas where you can sit and enjoy a bite to eat with a friend or enjoy some “me” time. There are also fascinating views of the President’s House, as well as beautiful rolling hills that can serve as a mini hiking experience.

Grab local fare from Queen’s Park Savannah. In addition to boasting the world’s largest roundabout, and offering views of some of Trinidad’s magnificent seven buildings, including castles, this beautiful park hosts food trucks that sell some of Trinidad’s best cuisine in the evenings. They serve everything from shark and bake, a local favorite, to some North American favorites like fried chicken wings and tacos. The Queen’s Park area also hosts numerous festivals, including the Pan African Festival, which I visited back in July and August.

Take in the breathtaking view of the city at the famous lookout points. One of the most charming attributes of Trinidad is the natural beauty that you can take in from several lookouts around the capital city of Port of Spain. The Maracas Bay lookout was definitely deserving of another visit, and this time I was also able to take in the daytime and nighttime views of the Lady Young Road Lookout. While you’re there, shop some of the local vendors and sit down and enjoy a drink and a bite to eat from Tastee Tobago. This cute little restaurant has great food representing Tobago, Trinidad’s sister country, and offers stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and Queen’s Park Savannah.

For more golden life ventures visit www.goldenlifeventures.com.