Sunday, April 5, 2020

Moments matter

How to get out of the coronavirus lockdown? An immunity passport. The UK's Health Secretary Matt Hancock suggested that anyone who've had the virus, have got the antibodies and therefore have immunity might be issued with a certificate and can return to a more normal life.

Perhaps half the world's population is living some form of restriction to help curb the spread of COVID-19. Marriott has just issued an inspiring message: We will travel again. Soon, we will step out from behind our screens and explore this wonderful world once more.

For me one of the greatest joys in life is travelling. Can you imagine a life without travelling? What a weary, weary life it would be.

If you had told me while I was in secondary school that I would travel to 233 cities across 48 countries in the world, the idea would seemed nothing more than absurd to me. I am constantly in awe of the life I am living. There are a lot of hotels and airports, it's sometimes a hassle to find a good meal, something or someone is always running late, there are a lot of wake-up calls at 4.30am, and the glamour of travel wears off very quickly.

We travel because, no matter how comfortable we are at home, there's always a part of us that wants - that needs - to see new vistas, buy new souvenirs, try new food, learn new words and have all the other travel adventures that make us want to kiss our doormats when we finally get home.

We all have defining travel moments in our lives - meaningful experiences that stand out in our memory.
 We do not remember days. We remember moments.

Research has found that in recalling an experience, we ignore most of what happened and focus instead on a few particular moments. Moments are what we remember and what we cherish.

Most parents don't take their kids to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter just for the place or event itself, but rather to make that shared experienced part of everyday family conversations for months, and even years, afterward.

This is what I hope you take away from this article: We can be the designers of moments that deliver happiness, pride and connection. These extraordinary minutes and hours and days - they are just what make life meaningful.

 

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