Hanging on to France
Photo Credit: AP Photo
I'm back in the US and feeling extremely grateful for an amazing trip to France. Watching the US Women win the World Cup is something I will never forget. I cried actual tears as I watched the team do snow angels in the celebration glitter that covered the field.
I'm overwhelmed by how awesome these women are! They are a great example to girls today. They fight for equal pay. They work full time to become the best in the world at the sport they love. Their passion for life, for making women heard, and for soccer is truly amazing! Being part of the crowd felt like a true honor and I am so proud to be an American and support these women!
In addition to the actual game, the entire trip was the trip of a life time. Being with my sister all week was fantastic. We laughed so hard after we rented a scooter and rode it together around the streets of Paris that I had to stop driving, set the scooter on the sidewalk, and sit down on the sidewalk and die laughing for a good 5 minutes. She swore to never ride anywhere with me again.
We met tons of fun, wonderful people everywhere we went.
I spent a whole day with my dear Italian friend Simonetta, her husband, and their awesome kids who came from Italy to visit me in Lyon. We met each other studying in Germany when we were 20 years old and have kept in contact over the years. Seeing an old friend who you can immediately re-connect with is the best feeling.
If I had to put my finger on why this trip was so wonderful, I'd say it's that I was really THERE. I made the most of everything, enjoyed it to the fullest, and was truly present. (Except for the 30 minute tram ride to the stadium with what felt like thousands of other hot and sweaty people. In that case, I did try to check out! ;) I knew my kids were well taken care of at home (love you Mom!) so I could truly enjoy.
Obviously I can't go on living like that forever, but I am truly going to try, and recommend that you do too, to bring moments of fun, gratitude, and presence into every day.
On the plane I made a "how to make France last" list. See if these give you any ideas for how to do the same in your life for a time that was very special to you!
Eat chocolate croissants.
Sit down and enjoy a coffee without doing anything else. I loved that drinking the coffee was the event, not something to do while in a meeting, riding the subway, or walking around.
Wear the shoes I bought while there and smile when I think of walking around narrow cobblestone streets.
Have a glass of wine on my front porch and call my sister so we can pretend to be at a sidewalk café. Speak in our French accents and listen to her make up various French words and promise me that they are actual words (they aren’t).
Borrow my kids electric scooters and ride them on a very busy street for a "near death experience" feeling. Just kidding on this one!
Hope you had a wonderful week and are able to bring some fun, gratitude and presence into your life this weekend.
PS Starting next week I'm going to open a sign up for a free 5 day challenge to help you get the rest of 2019 on track. Can you believe the year is half over? Are you living your life to the fullest? Sign up here if you're interested!