Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes

This past week I spent time in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and in Northern Wisconsin.  Although I have lived in Michigan my entire life, I have only made it as far as a little past St. Ignace in the U.P.  So, this year as I made the 10 hour car ride with my parents to Mercer, WI (just south of Ironwood, MI) I was captivated by the beauty of the Upper Peninsula.  The beautiful forests, the mighty rivers and bubbling brooks, and not to mention the beautiful Great Lakes all captivated my attention and were quite breathtaking. 

Little Girl's Pointe- near Ironwood, MI

After my "epiphany" of sorts a few months back, one of my resolutions was to get out there and experience the world and so this summer I was able to do just that.  I went to Carmel, Indiana for a conference and loved the up and coming city with it's shopping areas and beautiful homes.  And I also fell in love with the Upper Peninsula for an entirely different reason, but thing is I experienced these two places and loved them despite their differences. 

Sometimes, as singles or perhaps just as people, we get used to our humble surroundings and forget that there is a whole world out there waiting to be explored.  Yes, I know traveling can get expensive and not all of us have the entire summer off to explore the world, but I have experienced that same joy when I go to a little coffee house in the city or walk around the Detroit Institute of Arts.  There is joy to be had when walking around your local park or nature trails.  What I am saying is that we have to be careful not to become so comfortable with our lives, that we miss out on all of the wonderful things that our world has to offer.  The nightly news sure loves to report all the bad in the world, but I think the greater story is all the great and wonderful things out there.

And so my quest continues.  This is going to be a year of experiences for me.  I can't wait to see all the is out there just waiting for me to explore!