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Virtual Experience
Eat & Exercise
All-inclusive just like on the cruise is a bit dangerous for me. My taste buds are about to go into shock as the daily pancakes, eggs, potatoes, and bacon are coming to a swift halt not to mention daily desserts for which carrot cake took the prize. My rationale for the carrot cake is that it consists of a vegetable and dairy which both are parts of a daily food pyramid. Clearly, this is delusional thinking I know and I will try my best to get back into some routine before heading back to the east as to not make the transition to harrowing.
For exercise, an attempt was to reach the 440-calorie walking goals daily to which I only fell short on two occasions. The resort itself offered a gym and plenty of sidewalks to walk the massive ten-mile property full of hills and valleys. As a way to balance out our rich lunches and eight pm dinner reservations we usually took a five-minute walk up the hill for lunch and treated ourselves to gelato on the way back. Walking cancels out the calories right?
Pray
In the last three weeks, I have read three quotes that I needed as vitamins for my faith journey.
1. You are exactly where you need to be.
2. Wisdom told me that overthinking is both unproductive and exhausting. Go with God’s flow.
3. We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned to have the life that is waiting for us.
If you know me well you know that I am Type A when it comes to planning. I pride myself on playing out various scenarios and having contingencies in place to account for any surprises. Well, wouldn’t you know that my greatest strength is my greatest weakness? In my professional career this skill, gift, talent, or whatever you want to call it has served me well. It, however, does not carry any weight or significance in my faith walk for I am called to walk by faith and not by sight and live wholeheartedly the words penned in Hebrews 11:1 (NIV), “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
I enter this school year with a refreshed resolve to go with God’s flow and reflect on some pearls of wisdom I have shared below.
Love
I love that fact that God has blessed me with both a loving family and friends who are like family. This excursion was courtesy of the other adopted daughter from my Virginia family. When asked if I wanted to join her and another friend in January I said, “Well sure. Have passport, will travel!” The saying time flies when you are having fun was challenged by our realization, “Time flies when you are resting, relaxing, and being rejuvenated.”
I will forever be grateful for the generosity those in my circle provide. I am and can continue to thrive because of who they are and the sacrifices they are willing to make. When I think of them, I think of the words penned in Philippians 1:3 (NIV).
Teach
Los Cabos, Mexico is situated at the southern tip of the California Peninsula and borders the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. The municipality itself encompasses two towns – Cabo San Lucas and San José. It’s the main economy relies heavily on tourism and until the latter part of the 20th century, the majority of Los Cabos was considered a rural area. Los Cabos is known for its resort style vacations offering golf, whale watching and sports fishing and up to over two million visitors a year half of which are from the United States.
What made this vacation a perfect for some rest and relaxation was the all-inclusive dining package and having a concierge at our disposal who took care of setting up the excursions and transportation. I also liked that I was at least able to use the little bit of Spanish I remembered from high school and college as well as use my USD. Highlights of this trip included a visit to Los Cabos Winery where a kind Californian has opened up an intimate jazz club and restaurant offering a fine selection of both food and wine. Another surprising moment to myself, as well as my loved ones, was my decision to parasail. The first attempt at parasailing was canceled due to high winds. The second attempt was a success and thoroughly enjoyable to the point that I am thinking, I can’t wait until I am able to go again!
The stay, courtesy of a dear and generous friend was on a Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos property which offered nothing less than five-star accommodations. Early on I read a sign on one of their shuttle buses which said, “Great Place to Work.” This sentiment was evident in each encounter whether it was at the spa, at a restaurant, or even taking a shuttle. What I experienced reminded me of an article I read on the plane about sharing tips for top-notch customer service by Emily Samuels. She states that great hospitality is a result of these four things:
1. Every negative customer experience is an opportunity to flip the script.
2. You should start by always providing internal hospitality.
3. You should give customers what they want again and again.
4. You should throw in “surprise and delight” moments.
After reading this article I immediately could translate it into the work I do as an educator and wanted to challenge my thinking into how I could apply it to my faith walk.
1. Every negative experience is an opportunity to flip the script and remember what Paul penned, “We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are chosen to be a part of His plan.” (Romans 8:28, NLV)
2. You should start by always providing internal hospitality. Meaning, every day I have the opportunity to extend grace to those for whom I come into contact. Additionally and more importantly, I should begin each day expressing gratitude to the one who makes all things possible – God.
3. You should give customers what they want again and again. Now, this one if I were honest I don’t always agree with… Being that we are increasingly becoming a society that focuses more and more on a me mentality rather we, I am finding that the customer at times needs to be given what they need and in this day and age it is often the truth. On another note, God in his infinite wisdom knows better than to give me what I want time and time again. Rather he gives me what I need on a daily basis and when my desires are in line with His will, provides me with what I want in His timing.
4. You should throw in “surprise and delight” moments. Now I can most assuredly attest to the fact that I have received surprise and delight moments too numerous to count. Another word for them, blessings!