In the old days – and by those I  mean the days that we were all still living without the help of multinationals, stock markets or pharmaceutical industries- when we travelled; we did that basically to explore ourselves through exploring the world.

On a personal level the aim was to observe other ways of living in other cultures  and find means of survival in the way one provided for oneself.  A Journey with a capitol J,  during which someone learned to change the world by changing oneself, broadening the horizon in more than one way.  Adolescents from indigenous tribes sometimes still go on this sort of self-quest.  In Australia it is known as Walkabout; a rite of passage to make the transition into adult life.

Back to Stardate 2018, in our consumers society  day and age, the concept of traveling has roughly divided itself into three groups.

• There’s one group of people, youngsters mostly, that pack their backpack and travel to far away countries. The quest to find oneself certainly in the loop here.
• Then there’s another group of travellers, where people expect to be pampered at snow white beaches, cruises and restaurants for affordable prices.
• The third group is sort of a middle of the road group; people going to wellness resorts , hiking the Himalayas or walking the pilgrimage to Santiago; a combination of the quest for Self, while enjoying the hostels and restaurants that have sprouted in a touristy sort of way to accommodate their pilgrims.

Now, while a Walkabout is pretty much a metaphor for the Journey of Life itself; acquiring insights and getting to know oneself better; I can hardly state the same for  going on an all inclusive hotel in some tropical destination; the extreme of version 2 in my overview, indulging in too much sun, drink, dance and food. Even more so I think that modern day tourism is often more an escape from life and oneself, than an exploration into how to expand yourself as a human being.

It is with utter amazement that I watch these programs on televion of young people on Greek islands drinking themselves into a coma, subsequently being treated in the local hospital for alcohol poisoning.  My amazement is build both on the self- destructiveness of these young people as well as the fact that it is shown on television as entertainment. Or is it to warn the public against the evils and degeneracy of the human race? Maybe I missed something.

Another thing that seems to have escaped the pampered tourist’s attention is that flying to and staying in all inclusive hotels in touristy places. causes enormous environmental stress,  not just because of the airplanes and airports but also to the locals who on average aren’t that rich; and now have to pay even more for their daily groceries thanks to the resorts and their lavish menu’s pushing up the prices of local products.

So maybe when planning you next getaway, you might want to reconsider what it is exactly you are looking for? Is it indeed an ‘escape’ or is it a walkabout?

Ingrid Schippers, September 4, 2018

click the Queen of Tools card to read more on its meaning

The abridged spoken version of this blog, features as end note on  ‘Dutchbuzz’, the radio hour for Internationals every Tuesday  from 10 to 11 pm on ‘Den Haag FM and can be found in the Programme Archive of  the Dutchbuzz podcasts, dated September 4 , 2018.

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Here’s 3 directives I picked up in the course of life that have taught me how to have a relaxed holiday, even when trailing (grand) children

Rule number I

When my kids were growing up, my number one rule in family outings was I’d do anything, provided I’d enjoy it too. That implied I would go to all Disney movies but refused to bide my time watching movies I did not like. I would refuse to take them to MacDonalds but would organize a cookery workshop.

This technique, can also be applied when going on holiday in extended groups.  Just say you’ll do anything they like; provided you’ll enjoy it too.

Rule number II

The second rule also grew out of parenting experience.  As mother of 4,  born closely together,  I was constantly on the watch and counting heads at airports, shopping malls and playgrounds. Even more so on beaches where I would resemble a meerkat continuously surveying the beach.

This slightly changed when  our family was extended with a dog.  (Not so much because the dog was assigned a babysitters task like  ‘Nana’ in Peter Pan; for our dog was a French Basset and couldn’t be bothered.)

What I learned on the puppy training course was that one should never chase a dog when it refuses to respond to your call. The dog should be taught to come to you. You should not be obliged to keep an aye on the dog; the dog should keep an eye on you.

I tested this skill once on a group of 8-year-olds I was to supervise during a school trip. I told them: I am not going to count heads all the time; I’m going to expect you keep an eye on me, so I don’t run off”.
To my astonishment this worked. I was a very relaxed volunteering parent that year.  The morale of this story is not be made a follower. As in rule I; do not be the one who is trailing the needs of others; instead make sure to create space of your own bidding.

Rule number III.

I won’t advise you to stick your head in the sand for what is going on in the rest of the world while you’re ‘away’ , for that is not a solution. What you can do however, is to unplug yourself from the drama of it. Reality check if there is something you can do; say a prayer or send supportive vibes those who are suffering; but don’t let it get to you in the sense that it rules your day where you are. We tend to get drawn away from of ourselves, where we are and what we are doing by outside circumstances, while we have plenty to care for in our own world;  especially during holiday time, when unresolved thoughts and feelings dating back from daily working-life get a chance to catch up on you.  So basically what I’m saying is: make sure you have down time for you @ where you are. The world has become a small place with the internet and international news. Make sure though to remember your own plot of life in the moment

These were my 3 cents. I wish you a wonderful summertime and hope to see you in September, when I’ll start up both the  ‘Body language of Energy’ and ‘Nan Yar- Who Am I’ groups, combining the flow of energy with the flow of transition.

And just because I’m a proud mom; the silhouette of the girl in the picture is my oldest daughter, one of the ones I watched over like a meerkat, standing upright on the beach. She grew into a lovely young woman

Ingrid Schippers, 26 June 2017

To connect, send me a mail at info@energycounseling.nl, or scroll down and leave you comments through the contact form.

This blog is featured as spoken end note of the Dutchbuzz edition of June 27 2017, broadcasted on The Hague FM from 10.00 tot 11.00 pm.  It can also be listened to through the Dutchbuzz podcast of  June 27 2017

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Description of the featured Nan Yar – Who Am I card: the 4 of Challenges: Patterns

The downside of  the number 4, as number of balance, is that balance can get us stuck in habits that not always serve us as much as we assume they do.
Stepping out if that box can indeed be a Challenge, but is definitely worth a try.

Read about my unusual experience when I took my whole family, including 4 young kids, on a family holiday across the ocean, to a yoga institute, where breakfast was held in silence and daily routine started at 5 am…

Stepping Out Of the Holiday Box

There are these memories that sometimes pop up and make you cringe. ‘How could I ever do that’ they make you wonder.
One of mine popped up this morning when I saw a post on Facebook from a Kripalu yoga teacher.

Kripalu, for those of you not familiar with the institute, is a yoga teacher training center and health resort, located in the mesmerizing Berkely hills of Massachusetts.

I did many a course there and one summer, when our family embarked on an American summer holiday anyway, I dragged all of them with me, 4 kids, then 4,6,8 and 10 years old, and their father.
None of them would have voluntarily checked into a hotel with only vegetarian food and silent breakfast; had it not been for me wanting to do my 5 day Kripalu Yoga methodology course.

I remember feeling guilty, starting my days, after the 6 a.m morning yoga class, walking up and down the corridor from the kitchen to our familyroom, carrying trays of breakfast, so that at least my kids didn’t have to go through the impossible experience of eating in silence.

In retrospect one may wonder if the whole adventure of being there with the whole family should be seen as an act of selfishness. But then their father didn’t want to spent a week alone with the kids during our family holiday and truth be told the surroundings of Kripalu are stunning and step straight out of a American Wildlife Movie.

First of all there is the silence, but for the sounds of nature. The area is vast. One can look in all directions and see no man made structures till as far as the horizon. The beautiful lake Mahkeenac (or The Stockbridge Bowl as it is also called) lies right at the doorstep of the landscaped garden,with  canoes waiting on its beach, for those who feel like experiencing the incredible feeling that overcomes you when you sit in a small canoe, carried by the deep blue waters, surrounded by vast pine tree forests.

Kripalu is a spot on earth that carries a natural magic, a vortex of regenerating energy and renewal. It is said that churches are often build on naturally sacred spots, which explains to me why Kripalu, a former Jesuit novitiate, ended up where it now is.

My children, now 18, 21, 23 and 24, still remark on that unusual holiday, so different from the family hotels or watersport resorts we would otherwise go to.

Sometimes they mock me for having brought them there, just as they would mock my yoga teacher status in their early teenage years, with my occupation in life being somewhat of an exception amidst the bankers, lawyers and captains of industry in The Hague’s Benoordenhout.

At the same time however, the fact that I actually still  hear them remark on that unusual holiday, says something about the memories it installed. Perhaps something to remember while planning this years vacation; to do something out of the box, something a bit out of line with expectation, something to jog the usual holiday experience…

Whatever its going to be…remember….The Art is to EnjoY It.

Ingrid Schippers,  17 June, 2016

This blog will featured as spoken end note of the Dutchbuzz edition of June 28 2016 and can be listened to on The Hague FM from 10.00 tot 11.00 pm or on the Dutchbuzz podcast of June 28 2016

Click the 4 of Challenges to read more on the meaning of the card.

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