Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~ Maya Angelou
Sometimes in this rapid, almost dizzying pace of life, we all need to take a step back and simply breathe. Throughout our days, we are inundated with a never-ending list of commitments, obligations and distractions that at times can be utterly overwhelming. That is when it is time to take a step back and simply just be still for a moment. To listen to that inner voice within your heart asking you what matters most and why am I here.
Put simply, I am here to live a meaningful life. And how? Through my never-ending quest to….
Explore
“To travel is to take a journey into yourself” – . Danny Kaye
Climbing up to top of Austria Peak
Our group heading down the trail on Kilimanjaro.
Me and my Dad at the start of the Annapurna Trek. November 2010.
Be Curious
“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths”.- Walt Disney
Jacobo and Camilla show me how the Maasai used dried cow dung to clean glass lanterns. Given how dry the landscape is and how scare water is for the Maasai, they have adapted their lifestyle to make it work.
A woman and man work on traditional weaving.
Roatan, Honduras
To Connect
“My dream is that people will find a way back home, into their bodies, to connect with the earth, to connect with each other, to connect with the poor, to connect with the broken, to connect with the needy, to connect with people calling out all around us, to connect with the beauty, poetry, the wildness”. – Eve Ensler
Me with the porters trying to make a call home.
To Give Back
“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud”. – Maya Angelou
Volunteering in Honduras
Me and my friends at a school I volunteered at in Guatemala.
Girls in rural Ethiopia
To Take Chances
“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible”‘! – Audrey Hepburn
Me and my board, “Snow White” learning to surf
Hang-gliding in Queenstown New Zealand circa 2002
To Embrace Beauty
“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky”. – Rabindranath Tagore
To Love
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller
And to simply enjoy the moments that take my breath away
A bike ride with my son at sunset
My husband and I watching the sunset on our 16th wedding anniversary
My daughter photographing the amazing world we live in
This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: Quest. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to look deep inside myself and remember my journey and quest to live a meaningful life is never ending.
Bravo!
Thanks Sue! We all search for
Meaning don’t we. Just have to step back and remind ourselves at times .
Quite
What an inspiration. What a life! Maya Angelou’s quote starts it off just right. Wonderful post, Nicole.
Thanks Jane! Sometimes I just need to slow down and think about everything. Life is so busy it passes you by. We get stressed and tired and often dismayed about all the bad stuff. That is when it is time to remind ourselves to live a meaningful life.
RUT!
🙂
Your world is wonderful !
Not always but I try! 😊
Stunning sunset photos!!
Thank you so much! I love sunsets!!!
Strongly expressive images that evoke your life’s mission…
Thanks Sally! I am trying to take some time to search within myself.
What a great take on! Well done, Nicole. 🙂
Thanks Amy! ☺️
What a beautiful post Nicole.
Alison
Thanks Alison! ☺️
I’d say your are doing exactly that, Nicole. Such an incredibly meaningful life!!
Thank you Ruth! I try and often slip but then keep doing my best. ☺️
Clearly you are doing your very best!
Thanks Ruth! 🙂 Appreciate your support!
Amazing collection of photos. What a lifetime of experiences you have had.
Thank you so much! 😀
Beautiful and inspiring post Nicole. Perfect for the theme this week.
Thank you Miriam! Your posts have inspired me to search inside myself a little more. 🙏
16 years way kewl 🙂 right oN! 🙂
Thanks! Yep half my life
Now! Good thing I found the best husband ever!
What a beautiful and inspiring post! From what I’ve seen and read on your blog, it certainly seems you’ve succeeded on all counts. 🙂
Thank you so much! Trying my best. Besides traveling and family, doing good is huge in my list. I really want to make a difference and even if it is small now I know it makes life more meaningful.
Well put and photographed. Nicely done!
Thank you so much!
A great response to the challenge, Nicole. You certainly do lead a meaningful and interesting life. 🙂
Thanks Sylvia. I try my best!!!
Always! 😆 xx
Great post with a terrific collection of photos around the world highlighting meaningful moments. I love the pictures of the girls in Guatemala and Ethiopia.
Peta
Thanks Peta! It looks like you are doing a lot of work on the new house. Exciting times!
Love, love, love this post!
Thank you so much Debbie! I sure know that you and Ron live a meaningful life! 🙏
You are living a life full of meaning, thrilling adventure, and philanthropy.
I try my best. Wish there was more time but for now kids are the priority . ☺️
As they should be. But you do manage to live a very fulfilling life, one your family must be very proud of.
You are always so incredibly kind LuAnn! 🙂 xoxo
Well Nicole, you are certainly doing more than anyone I know to squeeze every ounce out of life!!! Beautiful shots.
Thanks Tina! I try!!!
Thank you for sharing, Nicole! Inspiring, as always!
Thanks Amy! I felt like life was getting so busy I had to take a step back and think hard. Things have calmed down thankfully. I am relieved.
Wonderful! 🙂
I wish I could give this post 10 stars, it was that beautiful! Loved, loved, loved this expression of the quest challenge i.e. very well done. You are living an amazingly awesome life; thanks for sharing this wonderful moments 🙂
You are so incredibly kind. I’m so grateful for your beautiful touching comment. Thank you! I try hard to live a meaningful life. It isn’t always easy but I try. 🙂
Great post, well said! Your pictures are gorgeous.
Thank you so much!
This was an amazing post. I especially love the quotes by Ms. Angelou. The pictures look like they could be stills from “Batman Begins” or something. Your family looks so happy too.
Thanks so much Vinny. I try my best. I think it is so important to take a step back in life and clearly think about what kind of life you want to live. One where it passes you by or one in which you take chances and actively participate. Otherwise life really won’t have much meaning. 🙂
I agree, thats exactly how I feel. I dont want to live a passive or regretful life.
That’s a great way to describe one’s path.
Thanks for replying to me.. and for the inspirational quotes and pics.
Of course! That is what this blog is for. For keeping me on task to inspire myself and others to do more and live to the fullest possible. 🙂
I like the sound of that. Ill be back to visit. Thanks for the chat.
Reblogged this on shresthajohnbode.
Lovely and thoughtful post as usual 🙂
Thank you so much. It got me thinking. I’m glad I’ve taken a step back and refocused a bit. 🙂
i was amazed by the title of your blog and clicked to read the rest. verybeautiful indeed
Oh thank you so much for reading. I was feeling pretty inspired to write this post. Trying to live up to my promise! 🙂
What a beautiful post, I’m sure you have inspired a lot of people with this post alone! Really enjoy reading your blog – thanks! Do check out my blog if you have a minute!
Fellow Eco traveller x
Thanks! I will definitely check out your blog! 🙂 Just followed! It looks brilliant. Nicole