Have Fun, Avoid Overwhelm and Enjoy the Celebration

Learning to avoid overwhelm can be difficult. More often than not the unexpected happens and everything doesn’t go as smoothly as you would like. As a result we often have feelings of anxiety when just thinking about all the things on the to-do list. Negative thoughts might even pop up and create unnecessary worry, and it seems that there is no end in sight. My advice to you when these feelings creep up is to remember the big picture and remind yourself often that your well-being and the love of your family is of the utmost importance. When we honor ourselves and our relationships it becomes easier to make decisions that may otherwise keep us feeling unbalanced. Yes, there are times when you must choose your own well-being, and that is OK to do even if it does feel uncomfortable.  This is especially true since you cannot effectively take care for another if you aren’t actively taking care of yourself. There is no better gift to give than a happy YOU!

So many times in life we get so involved with what we are doing that we don’t remember that we must avoid the overwhelm by taking time to celebrate. I’ve often been guilty of this. What about you? Do you take time to celebrate all the good in your life? Celebration is beautiful and necessary in order to complete the cycle of gratitude. I learned this five years ago when I missed being at my Dad’s 75^th birthday celebration. Not being there definitely left a gap in my heart but I made a point to ensure that this time was different by taking time off with my family and celebrating my Dad’s 80^th birthday together. What a blessing and a wonderful opportunity to share in his special day. His smile said it all. It also served as a gentle reminder that there are no guarantees with what tomorrow brings, so we must treasure the special moments in life now.

The beginning of the trip was peaceful and smooth; we arrived two days before the party and found ourselves always on the run but having fun. My dad is a talented artist and made a point of showing us all of his 3D art that he is so passionate about (see below).  From there we had a quiet lunch, spent some time at the pool and saw the rest of the family.

The day before the big party my husband and I went with my daughter to a Mets spring training baseball game. There was a family dinner at night at an Italian restaurant. Wow the food was so good. It was challenge to eat healthy and I knew it was trouble when a basket of hot rolls topped with garlic (one of my favorite foods) was put right in front of me. I normally stay away but just couldn’t resist. YUM! Everybody celebrated together enjoying the meal and each others company.

Everything was going so well, who would have thought there would be chaos before my Dad’s celebration? The following morning the chaos began. I didn’t feel well, the food didn’t agree with me, so I did my best to get some rest. Then my husband came in with some unexpected news when he alerted me that we had no flight home. Our return tickets home was actually booked for a month ago (accidentally of course).  Then the challenge began for us to find a reasonably priced ticket home. It’s a good thing we had phones, a computer and help from our family travel agent.  Needless to say, I was overwhelmed with all the intricacies surrounding our return finding a decent affordable flight, the rental car, another night at the hotel, calling our jobs, etc. ENOUGH already!  As you can imagine it wasn’t but within 5 minutes of finalizing everything that we received a text that my mother-in-law medical life alert was signaled. Trying to find out what was going on and if she was OK was real scary being far away from New York. Through a series of text messages back and forth we soon learned that she was fine. What a relief, and how wonderful it was to know that all was well so we could still make Dad’s party.  No rest for the weary and off we went!

I’ll never be able to put into words how happy I felt walking in the door seeing my dad smile. It was a fun and wonderful experience being able to meet his friends and also seeing the family enjoying one another. As life would have it, after the party ended my father realized he didn’t have keys to the car to get home, he had given them to my brother. Yes, a bit more drama occurred but thankfully everything ended well. I can’t express enough how glad I was that we were there together to celebrate life and family with my Dad. It’s a day I will always remember and have learned so much in this journey of well-being. The biggest lesson being that even though times might be a little chaotic things always have away of working themselves out. Over the years I’ve learned to focus on how to fix the problem, not focus on the obstacles. Below are some of my best insights to help you live a happier and more joyful life:

Quick Tips to have Fun, Avoid Overwhelm, and Enjoy The Celebration When Traveling

• Smile and have fun.
• Make the best of unexpected situations
• Take the time to celebrate with your family and friends.
• Take plenty of pictures to remember special occasions.
• Celebrate the good times of life.
• Don’t panic or worry until all the facts are known.
• Have an extra set of car keys with you.
• Don’t sweat the small stuff.
• When you order plane tickets online check your day of departure and arrival date very carefully to make sure it is correct.
• Pack some healthy food to eat for a snack.
• Bring a car phone and computer charger.
• If you are driving in a state that you don’t know, download on your phone Waze, a voice instruction, free mapping, traffic, and navigation application. https://www.waze.com.
• Pack your medicine in your carry on, in case of unexpected delays or a lost suitcase.
• Bring your business card. You never know when you make a friend or find someone who you can help.
• Be kind, patient and have compassion for those around you.

Remember to enjoy special moments with your family and friends, and most of all to celebrate with a thankful heart!

Bonnie S. Gortler

Bonnie Gortler, a Consultant, Coach, and Author, is a Wealth & Well-Being expert with over 35 years of experience in managing multi-million-dollar client portfolios at a top-rated investment firm. As the author of Journey to Wealth, Bonnie is dedicated to teaching the importance of risk management and achieving true financial well-being by integrating both the technical and mental aspects of investing. With an M.B.A. and certification as a life coach, Bonnie combines her passion for coaching, consulting, and blogging to inspire people globally. Her powerful techniques and winning mindset help others experience personal growth and financial success. Explore wealth-building tips, personal development strategies, and more at BonnieGortler.com, and discover how you can enhance your wealth and well-being.  


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