Finding Harmony

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“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song”. – Maya Angelou

Getting back from a vacation off the beaten path is always inharmonious to me. I seem to fall into a state of discontent for awhile as I adjust back to the hectic lifestyle of raising a family in America. I often feel more culture shock returning home than arriving into a place so different than my own, and it takes me a week or so to get back into the swing of my high paced life.

Of course there are things I could do to slow down but it is hard. I’m the kind of person who wants to do it all, and live life to the fullest. I put a high amount of pressure on myself to achieve. But honestly, I wouldn’t be happy if I didn’t try my best each and every day to make a difference with my life, to love my children and husband to the fullest and be a good mom, wife, person and citizen.

However, sometimes I need to take a deep breath, and slow down. To find harmony again within my body and soul. To remind myself of the places I’ve traveled to, both near and far, that have helped me find true peace, harmony and solitude.

My most recent piece of harmony was just last week in Nicaragua.

Me and my perch, taking the world all in.

“Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time.” – Hermann Hesse 

“The fruit of silence is tranquility.” – Arabian proverb

“The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have”. – Norman Vincent Peale

“When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others”. – Peace Pilgrim

“After a storm comes a calm”. – Proverb

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony”. – Mahatma Gandhi

This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: Harmony.

47 thoughts on “Finding Harmony”

  1. hugo morel – My name is Hugo. Been writing posts on this blog since the very beginning and one of the founders of the # 1 Itinerary. I have traveled to 5 continents and on my journey to go to all seven
    theitinerary1 on said:

    Great

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you!

      Reply ↓
      • hugo morel – My name is Hugo. Been writing posts on this blog since the very beginning and one of the founders of the # 1 Itinerary. I have traveled to 5 continents and on my journey to go to all seven
        theitinerary1 on said:

        No problem check out my blog when you get the chance 🙂

      • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
        thirdeyemom on said:

        Thanks! I just did! It looks great. Sounds like your Mexico experience was pretty interesting. 🙂

  2. RoarLoud – My love of nature has always drawn me outdoors. Being curious like a cat has lead to various adventures and travels. This blog highlights my travels, adventures, gear and random interesting tidbits of my life roaring loudly. The story behind my nickname (Wildcat) and my roaring can be read here. http://wp.me/p5yqsL-4m
    RoarLoud on said:

    Amazing photos and I can relate to your culture shock back at home. Sharing this as a reminder to myself to slow down at times:)

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes me too. Of course I’m up here on a beautiful day answering comments. I need to re-read my post and slow down again! 🙂

      Reply ↓

  3. I can relate to this. It is about a whole lot of levels. Challenge vs the same, holiday vs work, new vs the same, sometimes slower pace vs fast. But then I guess we can swing the argument around. Viewing work as fun and life as work. Finding fun in everyday challenge. There is certainly a disconnect between being away and then back home again. Good thing is we can relive it with our blogging. Beautiful, beautiful images and lovely quotes. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Louise for the thought provoking comment. Yes, life can be challenging. I think if I had a more relaxed personality it would be easier but then again I wouldn’t get so much done! What I love the most about blogging is reliving the experiences in life and travel. 🙂 Keeps me smiling.

      Reply ↓

  4. Nicole, although I sometimes feel more than a twinge of envy when I read what you’ve been doing and where you’ve been, I always enjoy traveling with you. Perhaps this summer, you could make a trip to Chicago and we could meet for a day in the city. 🙂

    janet

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      I would love to Janet! I used to live there 16 years ago before we moved to MN. I miss Chicago. I would love to meet you!

      Reply ↓

      • We’ll plan for this summer then. We can see if there are any other bloggers in the area who would like to come as well. It will be a blast!

      • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
        thirdeyemom on said:

        There is also the TBEX (Travel Bloggers Exchange conference) this May and it is being held in Minneapolis! The bummer is that it is over Memorial Day, a terrible time to have it but I am going. Would really love to find a way to come to Chicago. 🙂

  5. Pingback: 18 years-worth of harmony. – The Hempstead Man

  6. Eliz@MirthandMotivation – Growing up on three continents has exposed me to people/places that are culturally rich and varied. My interests in learning, teaching and traveling continue to inform my work as a training specialist. My family, friends, faith and colleagues have been instrumental in my growth; therefore, as I learn, develop and share new skills, I remember with gratitude, how important it is support others.
    Eliz@MirthandMotivation on said:

    As always, your landscapes are stunning! 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Eliz!

      Reply ↓
  7. heartandsoul974 – I am a happily married wife, mom,sister,daughter and WOMAN, who loves to write and has always loved it. As a young child I wrote short stories and as I grew I began to log my thoughts and feelings in a journal. It's been many years that I haven't written because of lack of confidence. Now I am at it again, doing what I love. You are invited to join me in my blog about everyday living in a small town. I hope YOU are living a life filled with joy and peace.❤️
    heartandsoul974 on said:

    Wonderful photos of your amazing trip. Raising a family and working in the US is a challenge. It’s great that you could go and take care if yourself for a bit. 😊

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks so much. I feel blessed that I can get a break. I realize that not everyone can. 🙂

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Amy! Huge compliment coming from you as I’m always in awe of your photos! 😌

      Reply ↓
  9. Dalo Collis – Hong Kong / Hangzhou / Seattle – Built up a textile business in Hong Kong, and have expanded into freelance writing and photography. Permanent resident of Hong Kong, but my heart is in the Pacific Northwest of the USA.
    Dalo 2013 on said:

    Beautiful photography again ~ a definite slice of heaven you found in your life. Very smart words and thoughts as well, one of the truest things in life necessary is to step back and regroup, or as you say “find harmony again within my body and soul…” A nice post for me to read as I head back into China for a spell, refreshed and regrouped to attack life once again. Cheers to a great week ahead.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you so much! I love these photo essays where I don’t say much but use the photos and quotes to express my innermost thoughts. China sounds nice! I’ve
      Only been to Beijing and Shanghai but would love to see the countryside so much!!!

      Reply ↓
  10. Miriam – Australia – I’m a wonder lusting woman, a musician, a freelance travel writer and magazine columnist. Utterly passionate about travel and life and turning the ordinary moments into the extraordinary. My motto is “just do it”.
    Miriam on said:

    Such beautiful images Nicole and wonderful sentiments. And I can totally relate to coming back from such a relaxing break and finding yourself at odds and feeling discontent. It just takes awhile to find your groove again but isn’t it amazing how quickly we adapt. Still, if you’re anything like me, you still yearn for those days that you just passed in such bliss. How lucky that we have our blog to remind us of all our precious trips. A wonderful post on harmony, perfectly captured.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Miriam! Yes as much as I miss my kids and husband I always feel a bit sad when I come back. It is that freedom you feel on vacation with no worries or stress. Wish we could always feel that way but then vacations wouldn’t be so special! 😌

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you so much! 🙂

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes it is Debra! Its been hard too as I have a chronic neck/back pain (for over 30 years since I was 13) and it has really been bad for the past three months. I think I hold a lot of stress in my neck and ironically I felt pain free when I was on vacation in the 90 degree weather but now I am in bad pain again. Oh well. 🙂 Keep smiling is what I say!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you Andrew! 🙂 Hope you are doing well!

      Reply ↓
  15. Alison and Don – Occupation: being/living/experiencing/travelling. In our sixties, with apparently no other authentic option, my husband Don and I sold our apartment and car, sold or gave away all our stuff and set off to discover the world. And ourselves. We started in Italy in 2011 and from there have travelled to Spain, India, Bali, Australia, New Zealand, SE Asia, South America, Egypt, Japan, etc. - you can see the blog archive. We travelled full-time for nearly six years, and then re-established a home in Vancouver. We now travel 2-3 months per year. We are interested in how the world works, how life works, how the creation of experience works, how the mind works. As we travel and both "choose" our course, and at the same time just let it unfold, we discover the "mechanics" of life, the astounding creativity of life, and a continual need to return to trust and presence. Opening the heart, and acceptance of what is, as it is, are keystones for us both. Interests: In no particular order: travel, photography, figure skating (as a fan), acceptance, authenticity, walking/hiking, joy, creativity, being human, adventure, presence, NOW. Same for Don except replace figure skating with Formula One motor racing.
    Alison and Don on said:

    Oh Nicole, what a beautiful collection of exquisite photographs, and quotes. I feel better already!
    Alison <3

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Alison! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  16. anotherday2paradise – Durban South Africa and Florida USA – I enjoy writing about absolutely anything, and started blogging with WordPress in 2012. This was my 'Hammock Lady' blog, and I really enjoyed sharing my travels here: http://adinparadise.wordpress.com/ In November 2013, I decided it was time for a change of scenery, so I started my blog afresh, and here it is. I love to travel, and have been fortunate enough to do two round-the-world trips and visit more than forty countries so far. This year we visited our 7th continent, Antarctica. I enjoy photographing wildlife, especially in my backyard in Florida. I was born and brought up in England. My husband and I emigrated to South Africa in 1970. We now live in Florida, USA. I have a son and a daughter and five gorgeous grandchildren currently aged between 6 and 21 years. I'm so happy that you've taken the time to visit my blog, and would love for you to join me on my travels. Sylvia.
    anotherday2paradise on said:

    Great photos as always, Nicole. I’m also having a very unsettled period of my life, having been suddenly catapulted out of our comfortable home into our unfinished house. Thanks for the inspirational quotes. I love this one, “The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have.” Energy is something I’m lacking at the moment.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes life can definitely be unsettling when you aren’t in your home, that is for sure. Glad you enjoyed the quotes Sylvia! 🙂

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! Yes, I love that “Travel nourishes the soul”. So beautiful and well said.

      Reply ↓

  18. Brilliant captures and I love that quote. There is something to be said about having a voice and using it. Have a great Tuesday.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks so much! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  19. restlessjo – Hi! I’m Jo! Johanna when I’m feeling posh, Jan to my Dad, and Joasiu to my Polish family. A bit of a mix-up, that’s me. The one constant, however, is my restless nature. I love to travel and to explore our world. It doesn’t have to be the big wide world. I can be ridiculously happy not too far from home, so long as I’m seeking new horizons. Of course I have a wish list, and it was to help me fulfil my dreams that I started to write travel guides for a venture called Simonseeks. I’d always kept a travel diary, and it was hugely satisfying to share my experiences and to make new friends who shared my passion for travel. Alas, Simonseeks hit a few troubles, but I still find myself writing about my travels. I’ve become addicted. I’d love to share them, and to make more friends. So, it has to be a blog- right? Or do I mean- write?
    restlessjo on said:

    Sublime! 🙂 Wishing you peace and joy, Nicole.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Jo! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  20. lexklein – I’m a restless, world-wandering, language-loving, book-devouring traveler trying to straddle the threshold between a traditional, stable family life and a free-spirited, irresistible urge to roam. Even when I was young, I always wanted to be somewhere else. I was the kid who loved camp, vacations, sleepovers, and all forms of transportation. Did my restlessness spring from a love of languages and other cultures? From a fiction fixation and all the places I’ve visited on the pages of a globeful of authors? I think it’s more primordial, though, an innate itch that demands scratching at regular intervals. I’m sure I won’t have a travel story every time I add to this blog, but I’ve got a lot! I’m a pretty happy camper (literally), but there is some angst as well as excitement in always having one foot out the door. Come along for the trip as I take the second step …
    lexklein on said:

    I can relate. I do re-entry very badly. I even hide from friends and don’t answer my phone for a few days until I get my equilibrium back!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      I wish I could do the same! Now I’m back in the swing of things. It helps that it is 68 degrees here in Minneapolis! And March is usually our snowiest month! It is spring two months early!

      Reply ↓
  21. Liesbet @ Roaming About – Somewhere in the United States – I am a Belgian - American digital nomad in my forties and have been roaming the world non-stop since July 2003. Since I met my American husband Mark in December 2004, we have been RVing (one year in Mexico and Central America), sailing (eight years in the Caribbean and South Pacific), house and pet sitting (three years in the US), traveling in a camper van (three years throughout North America), or preparing for the next adventure. We currently own a truck camper and hope to explore South America with our rescue dog Maya whenever possible. Follow our adventures at www.roamingabout.com or buy my travel memoir "Plunge - One Woman's Pursuit of a Life Less Ordinary" for a glimpse behind the scenes of a nomadic lifestyle.
    Liesbet on said:

    I can totally relate to the reverse culture shock! I feel free and happy when I travel, slow down and take everything in. The new world becomes my world, the new experiences become part of me. Travel is my life and has been for over a decade. Each time I visited one of our home countries, I had to adjust to what were daily habits there and were different priorities, but I knew I would go back to my exotic world. Entering a US airport caused the biggest culture shock I ever had, many years back. Now, I am temporarily semi-settled and after the first shock – one that was anticipated this time – I enjoy the small things of a comfortable and convenient life! 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks so much for the comment! I feel like the more I travel, especially to off the beaten places, the more of a shock and sometimes even a disappoint occurs. It makes me sad and also makes me want to travel and see even more!

      Reply ↓

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