Outside the Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey

Comedy Around The World is still in Turkey.  Traveling lightly, with no heavy baggage.  Having been the victim of lost luggage, I've learned to live with less, tolerate wearing the same clothes many days at a time, and pack only clothes that are made of fleece.  Actually, when I pack my luggage, I place everything on the floor--then take away half.  If I can't roll it up and put it into my shoes, it goes.  Then I put all my things into my backpack that I carry onto the plane.  It makes traveling so much easier. 

Taking this same approach toward life also makes things much easier.  Think of which things in life YOU are willing to shed to make your backpack lighter. 

--Are you willing to get rid of worry and anxiety--about the destination, your supplies, whether everything is perfect? 

--Are you willing to get rid of damaging competitive thoughts?  Sure, I'd love to be one of those well-dressed suitcase rollers who stroll through the terminals of life.  But that's not me, nor does it reflect my destinations.  My criteria for packing my luggage includes, "Will someone be chasing me?" and "Can I run away fast while carrying this luggage."  Yes, I realize I should read the above tip, but experience has shown me that this style of luggage best suits me.  If I were to travel to an expensive hotel in Ft. Lauderdale, I would also look as good as those luggage-rolling people. 

--Are you willing to leave out frustration?  I had to surrender my water bottles (unopened, even) at the metal detector.  "Can't I just stand here and drink them?" The person at the machine said no.  So I had to wait several more minutes until I got a drink of water--at $4 a bottle.  Find it amusing, not distressing, I told myself.

--Are you willing to forego exhaustion in favor of excitement?  I wasn't even finished sleeping when I woke up to the next day in Istanbul.  I just kept my mind on all the history and people and food of this great land of Turkey.  And kept reminding myself, "I have a nap coming on the return trip."  

--Are you willing to give up false perceptions?  Seeing my characteristic backpack laying on the floor, I commented--with a note of disdain in my voice--to my friend Chris, "I'm this age and still backpacking."  She said, "Yes, you are that age and you are still backpacking!" with excitement in her voice.  She added, "I am putting four kids through college and I can't backpack anymore!"  The less we stay out of our own minds, the better we are.  

There are many, many items we can discard in our lives.  Things that weigh us down, make us less able to run away from danger and run toward something brighter for our lives.  When we're able to, "Get Your SHINE Together!" we can know what to leave in and what to leave out. Does your luggage meet the carry-on requirement?