The Gift of the Unexpected

One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself when traveling is the mindset to remain flexible, be willing to pivot as circumstances change, and look for the gift in the unexpected situation.

I came to Thailand to visit a friend and get to know the country a bit to share with you here. With no agenda on what that would look like, I brought an open mind. With my friend and tour guide unexpectedly in the hospital for an unknown length of time, I was faced with how to spend my time alone and virtually no transportation or sightseeing nearby. The greatest gift is often the very thing you didn’t know you needed. Days of meditation were not on my agenda this week but what an enlightening gift it has been. The Universe sure has her way of getting you to pay attention. She’s got me cornered with a timeout. Haha

One of my favorite memories of things not going as planned was in the Peace Corps. One day I walked the three miles to the bus stop only to discover an hour later that the bus would not be running that day. Beginning the three mile walk home again, I passed the home of a local teacher who knew me well. She invited me in for lunch and laughter and sent me home with a dozen eggs to boot. It was the best happy accident.

What I’m saying is: it pays to be open, resourceful, and to look for the silver lining when things go awry. The outcome might be better than anything you would have planned.

And in her divine timing, the Universe fortuitously led me to two Buddhist temples today. This was high on my to-see list while here and to meditate alone in this sanctuary was a dream come true.

Have you ever had a plot twist in your travel plans that you were able to turn into something fantastic? Tell me in the Comments.

May you see the gift in the unexpected and may it serve you beyond your wildest dreams.

Love, Wen

Thanks for sharing the love. If you want more like this, find me on Instagram @adventureswithwen