​Weathering the Storm with the WP#57

I was trying to think of something to write for this week and I have to say that starting with the good news, it looks like we are moving forward to the battle against Covid as most places are changing their rules for the better for all as mandates seem to be falling by the wayside. Of course, we know that it can always rear its ugly head and we still need to be aware. I am excited for this, of course as business as picked up and that pent up desire to travel has driven more traffic my way. It is truly a blessing that I have weathered the storm and coming out of this better than before on many different fronts. 
However, when we speak about fronts, I must keep my mind on what is happening in Ukraine and as I wrote last week, my heart goes out to all those people who must be subjected to the attacks by a tyrant, and I hope this crisis does not linger as it will impact, and already has, more than the people of Ukraine, but I remain optimistic that this situation gets resolved sooner rather than later and it is nice to see, that there is a fair amount of solidarity in the world to get Russia, or should I say Putin, to stop what is absolutely maddening and destructive. It is not the people as I am sure they do not want this and as they hear about more and more of their people dying, not just the Ukrainians, maybe this will end. We can only hope and remain vigilant, but also remain optimistic. I plan to be in Europe this summer, if not sooner and I want all my clients going there, as well, to be safe and comfortable traveling and for now, that seems to be the case. 

On another note, in weathering the storm, I am reaching another milestone in my life, and that is my 60th birthday this week (too bad, this was not the 60th edition of Weathering the Storm, ah, well, so there would have been some symmetry, but I would have had to start doing my blog 3 weeks earlier😊) and frankly, it is just a number, albeit a milestone, nevertheless. It is not something that I dwell on, but it is here this week and yet, I don’t feel it. With everything that has happened in my life and the ups and downs and more importantly, the ups that have occurred since I met Rosa a little over two years ago, I feel younger than I ever had before. I am truly living life now and enjoying it to the fullest. I appreciate what I have and am happy. 
I have simplified a lot of my existence and realize that for the past 8 months or so, I have lived more freely and with much less stuff to bog me down. Yes, all my stuff, well 90% of it is in storage in Minnesota and some stuff I will eventually gather, but most of the things I have, are just that, things. What I was able to put in my little SUV when I drove out here to New Hampshire last year is all I have. Okay, I bought some new clothes, remember, I lost a lot of weight in the past two years, so the wardrobe was bare. I had to replace some office equipment (my printer died), but it is smaller and just as effective. I can replace things. That is no problem as stores and Amazon exist. 
I am happy now, more than I have ever been in my life and while I am not in person with Rosa right now, we will be together in person sooner rather than later. I know this in my heart, mind and soul and I am doing things to make sure that happens. As I mentioned briefly in last week’s blog, I am starting a certification class on teaching English as a foreign language. Any guess where I want to teach? Three guesses and the first two don’t count. It is an intensive 11-week course, all online with a practicum at the end. This is all with a very important goal in mind. I am a former classroom teacher and once an educator, always an educator. Am I giving up the travel business? Heck no, just finding other outlets in which to enhance business from both sides of the pond and still working on my Italian, but truth be known, I will learn more by using it in person every day versus Babbel, which I tried, and it was good, but I must live the language and that only happens by being there. I did that when I lived in France, nearly 50 years ago. Time flies when you are having fun!!!
I am sending my positive puffin power and positive thoughts to the people of Ukraine and the people of Russia who are also suffering and being blocked from knowing what is really happening in the world, so please send your thoughts and prayers to the people who are suffering there and around the world and remember that Tuesday is International Women’s Day. 
As always, I am interested in your thoughts, comments, questions and adding to the discourse is always appreciated be in on the site itself or on Facebook, Twitter or wherever you read this. Thank you for your support of this small business and it is truly appreciated!!!