Travelspect.

It always happens. When you get out of your normal scene, you think differently. When you distance yourself from the career, chores, routine and daily details, you free your mind to discover more of who you are and what you're involved with. The freedom to enjoy your time probing new ideas and possibilities is tough to earn at home. For me it usually involves an airplane, an event, and some good friends to start the fluids flowing.

This trip I took was a long weekend to a familiar place - Colorado. I've often come to ski or play in the mountains, with my trips being heavily weighted towards winter visits. This is my first time coming to a ski town in the fall. What a magnificent show of nature. Aspen trees change leaf colors from their usual green to red, orange and mostly a brilliant yellow. A yellow so bright you think the trees are plugged-in and illuminated! The Aspen trees aren't evenly dispersed on the mountains, they grow in clumps and patches, spreading out through pine greens like spilled apple juice. It was a very enjoyable few days taking in this scenery! I went west for a running race, but the time away gave me much more than a shirt and finisher's medal. First, I experienced retrospect. I have always loved going out west, I often thought back on the many neat experieces and vacations I've taken that were so memorable. I've always wanted to have a part-time residence in Colorado, where did that dream go? I enjoy the drives, the mountains, the towns and the activities. This is my element! Retrospect allows me to relight those fires in my head. And maybe stoke a few that would have me return to live the dream of owning land or property so I can visit more often. And share all of this with family and friends!

Then there's introspect. That deep look inside that pierces the distractions you get when you're at home. I had time to think early in the mornings before most of the group woke up. What am I doing this year? How are things going? Am I pleased with my efforts in the personal, career, family, spiritual and physical realms? What should I look to improve on, and how much energy and resources can I put behind my ideas? This introspective time is very valuable to me. If my last 4 months haven't been enough about change - this was a tumble into more of those feelings.

I've always said that the smartest people I know did not gain their impressive knowledge from a book or through chasing their degrees. It has come from traveling and seeing things differently. The waiting time in the terminals? Perfect for people watching and learning from others. Flying time? Read, recharge and now surf the web, too. Get out of the routine, eat and sleep differently, change things up. When I am away - I learn and I grow. I bring good ideas back and the renewed enthusiasm to plan and chase these concepts. Retrospect and introspect creep in because the ordinary checks out. This unique feeling is what I call Travelspect - the way you think and feel when you leave your environs to grow outside of your comfort zone.

Now boarding...

-dm