The Things We Do For Love

God bless my husband, Randy. He’s doing something soon he really doesn’t want to do. If left to his own devices, he’d be relaxing in front of the television or playing a gig. But instead, he’s escorting me to a city he hasn’t been for several decades to see someone give a talk he might not have chosen himself. I know he’s doing it for me and I’m grateful.

We’re going to Montreal to hear German spiritualist, Eckhart Tolle.

Eckhart is the author of the bestselling book, “The Power of Now.” I started listening to him years ago and have to say, more than any other “guru” out there– more than Deepak Chopra or Marianne Williams or even the late Wayne Dyer — Eckhart has helped me.

He’s also inspired others, which is why he gives talks all over the world.

Eckhart’s a small, elfin, quirky 70-something, whose teachings are always about acceptance for what is. All we have is the Now, according to Eckhart, the present moment. Accepting what is at any given time (even when that’s difficult) is a necessary path to fulfillment.

It’s not always easy. I’ve always struggled with restlessness. I should have more, do more, and be more. I should always be a better version of myself.

But according to Eckhart, that’s a common human feeling. We all rush through today toward what we perceive as the perfect someday that never comes. Life is right now.

Randy likes Eckhart too. A few years ago, he listened to his audio book, “Stillness Speaks”during a difficult time. When I saw tickets go up for sale in Montreal, a city I’ve always wanted to see, I snapped them up.

The problem comes with travel, which is becoming increasingly hard for Randy.

In his business days, my husband flew around the globe to most major cities on several continents. He’s taken gondola rides up mountainsides in Switzerland, driven through the savannas of South Africa, and patted elephants in Thailand. Over the decades, he’s taken me to places I never thought I’d see — the Eiffel Tower, the beaches of Maui, and the colorful canals of Amsterdam.

Now the thought of getting through an airport is difficult for Randy. He needs assistance. His joints are permanently damaged from a lifetime of having hemophilia. Walking tours are unthinkable.

I’ve asked a million times about Montreal, “Are you sure you want to go?”

And always Randy answers, “Yes.”

We have another trip coming in a few months. And sadly, I realize that could be one of our last big journeys in 40 years together. Overseas traveling has become too hard on my intrepid husband. Randy is happiest in his leafy Connecticut backyard or beloved Cape Cod house on Bass River. Quiet vacations feed his soul.

I know other couples that have gone through this. Many men want to relax in their later years and who can blame them? In the height of his business career, Randy averaged 100 business flights a year, always on the go.

And yet time catches up with all of us.

I know once we’re past the “journeying” part of this Montreal trip, we’ll settle into what we love about travel. We’ll have breakfast in bed. We’ll find fun restaurants and outdoor cafés. We’ll sip good wine and people-watch. Maybe I’ll take a walk on my own. No doubt there will be some conveyance (bus or car) to give us a tour.

And I know we’ll enjoy Eckhart with his beautiful message of not fighting the present moment, but allowing life to happen – an apt lesson for this stage of our existence. We’ll finally get to see the small German man in person who has helped us both over the years.

With Eckhart’s guidance, we’ll learn to accept what is.

 

Do you travel with your spouse? Have you heard of Eckhart Tolle? Comments are always welcome and if you like, please share! If you’d like to receive posts by email, just press here. Thank you!

 

As we learned from Eckhart Tolle, self care is vital. Here are two articles from HVMN that help with this journey. The first is how a chemical called Choline is vital for our brain’s health and how to get more with supplements. The second is about Ashwagandha, another supplement that helps with stress.