I moved to NYC a year ago. That was a leap. After 40 years in Connecticut, moving to the Big Apple was a fantasy come true.

I immediately joined a local fellowship as my anchor here. Shortly after I became a regular participant, I heard a woman in the group talk about a life-changing adventure she was about to embark upon. After hearing her mention this a few times, curiosity got the better of me, and I asked her to meet for coffee so I could learn more. “Life-changing” is a keyword in my vocabulary. I listen very carefully when I hear it spoken.

She told me that twenty-some years ago she had sailed with an institution called Semester at Sea and that it had changed her life. She was taking the opportunity to get onboard again as a Lifelong Learner–to sail around the world in an educational environment. “Tell me more!” I insisted.

I left our coffee date and immediately logged onto their website and saw the trip of a lifetime mapped out in front of me. I’ve long been envious of friends who have ventured to China, India and Africa wondering how I might find my way there. A work opportunity? A wedding to attend? What would show up in my life that would quench this desire?

Movies and literature have fanned the flame–Slumdog Millionaire, Outsourced, A Fine Balance, stories by Jhumpa Lahiri. Reading travel pages in newspapers in magazines deepened my desire. A friend’s move to India to follow a guru; another’s move to Bali to change it up have not gone unnoticed.

Then there was the milestone birthday, becoming a grandmother (twice) and changing marital status which have each reminded me that life is short and to be grabbed while you can. Enough waiting to see if this was going to happen. Time to seize the moment and enroll.

My friend boarded the Spring 2013 voyage. I knew as soon as I read the itinerary that I would enroll in the Spring 2014 semester. Something inside of me knew and insisted that this was the trip and this was the time to embark. You know when something is right. Taking the leap is the scary part, but once it’s taken, the momentum carries you. Which is a good thing with all the minutia to be attended to in preparation: attaining visas, getting malaria pills and a yellow fever vaccine, converting currency and taking care of finances.

Three months is a long time to be away, especially with the limited internet access that being at sea means. I’m winding down with my current clients, completing with the groups I lead and saying no to invitations that include February, March and April in them. I’ll miss my family, my friends, my colleagues and the wonderful man in my life. I’m secure enough to trust and believe that they will welcome me back when I return in early May.

My itinerary includes 11 countries, a selection of inviting courses to audit, field labs and excursions and new friends to meet. I’m incredibly excited to be opening myself to so many new experiences, challenges and ways of thinking. I know that I will return different, and I look forward to the transformation.

My business’s tag line is Leading Remarkable Women to Uncommon Success. I’ve long admired women who take adventures, challenge themselves, embark. If I want to continue to live my tag line, this journey is my next step on that path.

If you’d like to come with me in spirit, I’d love to coach you on creating your itinerary. I’ve designed a program just for that purpose. What are you waiting for? (See offer below video.)

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