Mom blinked | Travel Research Online

Just a few days ago my mother’s home was completely destroyed by a tornado in Chickasha, Oklahoma.  Thank goodness she was away with her sister on a trip when it happened.

Following the destruction, there was not a scrap of wood to be found where her home once stood.  Nothing more than a few scattered bricks from the crumbled foundation remained. (You can see photos of the devastation on my Facebook page.)

Being raised by a single mom, struggling against poverty and the highly critical social norm of the day, taught me a lot about success.  As I watched my mother rise above it all and create a happy life for her three children, I was always in awe of her ability to see beyond the limits of today.

When times were tough and we had little food in the house, mom made a game of creating “mish mash stew” where we all participated.  Sometimes though, it was hard to ignore the difficult times.  It was then that her true wisdom came through.

In the darkest days my mother would wave her hand in a big circle and say, “Kids, it doesn’t matter what surrounds you or what’s going on now, it can all change in the blink of an eye.” Then she would point to her heart and say, “It’s what’s going on in here that matters the most.  That’s where the good stuff is and always will be.”

On May 24, 2011 an eye blinked and all was gone.  When I heard the news and called my mom this is what she said, “Honey, I have a suitcase with clean clothes, a family that loves me, and a chance to start all over again. Not many people get to do that at 80 years old. It won’t be easy but it’s going to be fun.”

Today, take a look around you. Look at your home, your office, your job and your limitations.  Then, put your hand on your heart do a little dreaming. All that stuff around you can be gone in the blink of an eye.  It’s what you do with the stuff in your heart that can change everything.

Nolan Burris is an author, former travel agent, failed musician and self-professed techno-geek. He’s also a popular international speaker both inside and outside of the travel industry.  He is the founder and chief Visioneer of Future Proof Travel Solutions (futureprooftravel.com) based in Vancouver, Canada.  Nolan’s believes that if can change the way business works, you’ll change the world. His goal is to spread the message of integrity and ethics in a techno-driven world.