Are you really enjoying your travels? Most people are quick to complain whenever they hit the road, blaming delays and poor accommodations for their travel angst. Sure, things can go wrong, but lots of things go right and that is where you want to shift your attention. As someone who is well aware of the snafus travel can present, no matter how near or far you may be from home, I would like to share some tips that have helped me.

Focus on the Positive

If you are traveling you are blessed. Being able to hop on a plane, take a train or drive your car to a travel destination is a blessing. It is exciting to travel to a new spot, even if it is just a few states over, and few people on earth do a consistent amount of traveling in their lifetime. Some people never leave their hometown and a fair amount of people never leave their home state.
Count your blessings; if you can afford a plane ticket then you are well ahead of many other people. If your company foots the travel bill for business purposes then count yourself lucky; many people never work a job that pays the travel bills.

Expect the Unexpected

If you are a traveler and want to enjoy the experience, take the time to assess the inevitable.You will run into delays, disappointments and all types of unexpected situations along the way but this really isn’t a big deal in the grand scheme of things.
Accept this fact. You will remain sane and you will also learn how to laugh at situations that most people get angry at.

Meditate

This may sound like a weird thing to be throwing into an article about traveling, but it works. Meditation helps you develop peace of mind and a sense of calm confidence — two critical mindsets for any traveler to cultivate. You will run into potentially stressful situations but if you are willing to meditate frequently you can observe your feelings instead of complaining about or acting on these lower energies.
Sit for at least 15 to 20 minutes daily. Find a quiet spot. Focus on your breathing. If your attention wanders note the object of your attention and then move your focus firmly but gently back to your breathing. Follow the air in and out of your nose. Proceed to meditate and never miss a day to deal with stressful situations properly.

Smile More

Sometimes during my current two-year-long trip I wonder how many happy travelers are out there. The masses move around with scowls on their faces, quick to rush, complain and be pushy around service people. Sometimes I talk to various people and all I hear about are the complaints and grievances. Few smile, but taking a simple moment to smile changes your life instantly. You will feel better, and when you feel better you will naturally move into high-energy actions, like seeing the positive in situations and expressing gratitude over any situation
A simple smile is the starting point. Do not allow masses of miserable, stressed-out travelers around you to affect your personality. Smile. Laugh more. Be ready to embrace any type of situation and be willing to smile along the way. A split-second decisions can change your experience instantly, so get smiling while traveling.

Travel Is Fun

Seriously, think about hitting the airport, or taking the train, or driving your car to a new location. If you are traveling for business or pleasure it matters not. Traveling is fun, enjoyable, and enlightening. You are blessed to see new places and meet new people, or to connect with individuals that you have befriended in the past. Learn to enjoy your travels and you can more easily embrace any situation which arises during your travels.
About the Author: Kelli Cooper is a freelance writer who enjoys discussing anything related to travel. If you are vacationing in North Carolina, she highly recommends the Comfort Inn Hotel in Nags Head North Carolina.
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