Selectively Juggling

Describe your most ideal day from beginning to end.

From the outset I’ve just got to say I have many versions of what an ideal day entails. However for today, I’ll pluck my response from the top of my all-time favourite bucklist items. Therefore my ideal day would cast me as an intrepid traveller, he’ll-bent on experiencing the mysteries of the Aurora Borealis during deep winter.

So here goes…

I slowly open my eyes to the sights and sounds of a new day. It’s still dark out, but that’s okay, as my deep child-like joy, sense of awe and wonder could illuminate half the planet. I reach over and see I’ve missed a face-time call from my husband and kids. I’m in Northern Norway and Finland, deep in Lapland Country. They’ve stayed with my husband’s parents in The Netherlands, and are happy for me to have travelled on my own from Holland to the Arctic. They all know how deep my sense of connection with the Northern Lights and Arctic is. I gingerly wake up, make myself a steaming cup of almond milk coffee and call my family. They answer somewhat excitedly “hey mum, we miss you! How was your flight? Today we’re going Castle hunting with Oma and Opa” My husband speaks up and asks me “hey sweetheart have you looked in your luggage yet? We packed you a little surprise” To which I say “no” as I excitedly run to my large suitcase, and as I do think to myself “how incredibly blessed I am’. I juggle the phone in one hand, while scrummaging through my bag of winter jackets and hiking boots. There in all its glory is a new Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Camera with a beautiful macro lens and a 200mm lens. Tears swell up and I choke back “OMG guys I love you so much, you’ve no idea how incredibly happy you’ve made me feel, I’m literally speechless, blown-away with shock and gratitude”.

Hanging up, i feel a twinge of guilt, but quickly send it packing, as I knew my family were happy with Oma & Opa. I knew that I had longed for this trip my entire life. I deserved it, I’d worked hard and saved tirelessly to be able to afford it.

Coffee and breakfast done, I quickly dressed in layers of thermal undergarments, hiking pants, socks and an Icelandic woollen jumper. Looking in the full-length mirror I’m overcome with a sense of gratitude and humility. How my inner child had fought to get me safely to adulthood, and how I allowed myself to move beyond trauma and accept a life of love, purpose and meaning. I looked good, and felt great. Slipping on my hiking boots and winter jacket I grabbed my new camera bag, filled with the potential of incredible creative possiblies. That camera backpack was the physical representation of hope and purpose. An extension of my creative mind and artistic soul. It was the vehicle and I was the driver.

Turning the igloo door handle, I felt the collective flutter of a lifetime of butterflies, I said to myself “okay girl you’ve got this!” On the other side of the door stood my dreams, my aspirations and inspiration. I was home. I was about to fully realize my deepest dream. A dream that had inspired, moved and driven me for years.

I clambered up into the large all terrain tour-guide vehicle, greeting my fellow travellers with a deeply genuine smile. I’m sure my eyes were dancing with life. We were headed for a day of ice fishing, sled riding, snow machine, hiking on glaciers, feasting, laughter, saunas, icy swims, and finally a late night adventure of Northern Lights gazing and photography. Oh the excitement was palpable. The icing on the cake was knowing that after a day and evening packed to the rim with excitement I would be heading back to my spectacular glass-domed igloo where I will eventually drift off to sleep, as my face is bathed is the glorious dancing lights. It’s a long way from home in Sydney, Australia.