Once a year, most of us, at least in the United States and Canada, celebrate Thanksgiving. We gather with friends and family to celebrate life, giving thanks to our blessings while indulging in smorgasbords of favorite dishes. As the holiday approaches, I was reminded of a special Thanksgiving that I wrote about in When All…
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Hiking the Kumano Kodo Japan – Adventure Travel to Japan
Kumano Kodo Japan If you are like most of the world, you probably have never heard of the Kumano Kodo. I didn't know of it either until I was introduced to the Kumano Kodo trek by friends with whom I walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain. I certainly knew where Japan was, but I…
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Remembering to Look Up in Ireland
Happy Look Up Day! Although starting out as a holiday in 2010 to remind us all to: 1) Be in the moment & 2) Find the upside, Look Up Day has morphed into embracing the Look Up mantra/life tool for every day and anywhere you are. Recently on an adventure to discover my roots in…
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Look Up from Oahu Hawaii to Prepare for Japan
Revisiting the Hawaiian Islands The beauty of Hawaii never gets old: majestic mountain views and dreamy seascapes; however, it is a long way from everywhere. Last month, on a return visit to Oahu, I used both Mother Nature and distance to my advantage to inspire this Look Up lesson and new adventure. Time Zones Away…
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Look Up from Walden Pond
Walden Pond This month, I revisited a special place, Walden Pond. Located a short drive from my mother’s home in Massachusetts, this small pond and wooded area was made famous by Henry David Thoreau in the mid-1800s. Its small, wooden cabin was his home for two years, two months, and two days. During which time,…
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Look Up Tutorial Beachside
There’s a famous quote by Karen Blixen, “The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, and the sea.” I stand behind my peer author’s wisdom as I know a good workout, cry, and/or beach time can cure just about anything. I’ve used Blixen’s tip before. However, I would like to add my two cents…
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Look Up and Small Changes Equals Big Shifts
My Routine is Traveling I travel a lot. In fact, today I’m traveling. Over the last month, I have been on four cruises. Unlike many people that have a Monday-Friday job in an office, school, or other, I am on the road or the high seas Monday-Friday or perhaps Sunday-Thursday depending on how the cruise…
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Why Traveling Reminds Us All to Look Up
From an early age, I caught the travel bug. At the time, it was because I was curious. Today, I continue to be curious about new people, cultures, tastes, sounds, and sights, but also I have found that traveling reminds me to Look Up. Look Up Mantra Look Up is a mantra that I created…
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Look Up Lesson for the Holidays
Author Heidi Siefkas and Father Looking Up for the Holidays After a two-week work trip, I returned home for the holidays. I was eager to sleep in my bed, drink from my favorite coffee mug, and even take a long, warm bath. However, this year’s holidays reminded me more of hurricane season than holiday season.…
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Look Up from Ground Zero Hudson River Valley
Look Up from Hudson River Valley, New York Earlier this month, I revisited Hudson River Valley, New York, a region that holds a very special place in many hearts. It is a beautiful area, not far from New York City, that was carved out by glaciers, leaving a gorgeous outdoor adventure playground with rolling hills,…
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