By Nancy Stoops
Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Ever since I was a very small girl, I always knew that I wanted to travel around the entire world.
It really all began when I was 17. I had graduated high school a semester early and then spent three months in Europe. At that point I became addicted to wanting to see the entire world.
Now, I have just two more continents to go. The plan is to see Australia this year and then, as I turn 60, go to Antarctica. I know I will always continue to travel, even though very soon I will have literally made it all around the world.
There are many ways to learn and I have experienced most of them. Travel is a very unique way to learn because you literally become part of what you are learning. There is no better way to understand a country or its culture than to become immersed in it.
I have gotten to know people from so many different walks of life, and have received blessings from a holy person within each of these cultures. I have also been part of many wonderful ceremonies and traditions, one of which involved dancing with goats in a Peruvian village. I will never forget my African Chief, my Thailand monk, all my shamans, and all the other wonder spiritual beings that I spent time with while being blessed. It has been my honor!
I also make sure that each journey comes with a close-up wild life experience. I have walked, fed and swum with 450 pound tigers. I have trained elephants, and swum with sea lions, sharks, and mantas. I have held the head of a cheetah in my lap for a petting session. This year I want to hold a koala and feed kangaroos. I love my life, and travelling really enriches it.
This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T. Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has a private practice in Diamond Bar and is currently accepting new clients. Nancy is also a motivational speaker who can inspire your employees or group members. She runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups on how to manage anger. For more information about any of these services, feel free to contact Nancy at (909) 229-0727; or you may e-mail her at stoopsshecter@earthlink.net. You may purchase Nancy’s books, Live Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.
