This past week three years ago on March 20th, 2020, I was closing my business of over 90 years and laying off all 45 of my employees through many tears. I thought my life’s work was over and I would be penniless. All firsts in my Leap Year of Firsts quest. Unwanted firsts, but firsts none the less. I sit here typing this blog post from high above the Atlantic Ocean on my way back home from experiencing many new firsts. Firsts that were beyond any possible dreams I could have had growing up. Beyond any dreams I could have imagined that fateful week of March 2020. I wrote about the anticipation of this trip in my blog last week … “The worst thing would be to…” I am returning from my first time traveling the Danube River visiting cities that I never been in. I got to live SO many incredible experiences for the first time of my life. My business did not close, and I am not penniless.
I got here by my continued quest of firsts and a lot of hard work and some good fortune with help from others. Recently, in my spare time at night and on long weekends I pursued something that I have grown to love and have a passion for – travel. I wanted to be an “official” part-time travel advisor for a first. Since I wasn’t working 24/7 any longer in my primary business (only 50-60 hours a week now), I had “spare time.” I networked to join a local agency, went through online training and received my association card and was invited to attend my first American Society of Travel Agent’s (ASTA) River Cruise Expo in Budapest Hungary.
Well, my trip is over, with numerous firsts I could have never dreamed of that I’m forever grateful for. I learned so much from these unique, enjoyable and fulfilling firsts. The firsts included touring cities, in three countries, I never thought I’d experience (Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Durnstein and Melk). I attended my first river cruise expo where I met the owner of Ama Waterways and won a free cruise. I took in my first Budapest sunrise on a hike above the city at the country’s Statue of Liberty. I walked in the footsteps of Richard the Lionhearted in Durnstein as I scaled the castle ruins above the town. I cruised the Danube and biked 25 miles along it through majestic vineyards & quaint towns to Melk. Toured the Benedictine Abbey in Melk and the Schoenbrun Palace in Vienna. The highlight may have been a private concert with world class musicians @ the historic Garden Palais Liechtenstein with Mozart in the air. Oh, and the Garden Palais Liechtenstein became the sight of my FIRST time dancing the Viennese waltz with a prima ballerina – in Vienna no less (pictured above). I was picked out of the crowd to perform. OMG! Would you have taken a chance to travel outside of your comfort zone to accept the invite to waltz in such a setting? As I took my seat after my impromptu performance I turned to my wife and proclaimed … “that was an unbelievable once-in-a-lifetime first!” PS. I’m NOT known to be a good dancer, but I followed my lead, didn’t step on any toes and did not embarrass myself. I did okay. A first I will always remember.
What is something you have grown to love and have a passion for? Will you make the commitment of time and do the long hard work needed to maybe experience something beyond any possible dreams of yours? Will you travel outside your comfort zone to live your dreams and beyond? You can start your journey with a first.