I had three days vacation from work and decided to get out of the city and head to Banff for a few days of relaxation and painting. It turned out a bit differently than I expected.

I saw the usual amazing things, Cascade Mountain overlooking the town of Banff; drove out to Lake Minnewanka, a favourite place of mine, and came to an unexpected realisation afterwards. I have been to Banff too many times to count. Since I was a child and Mom and Dad drove us all out there for days trips, and later when they taught us to ski and we stayed for whole weekends, the area is seared into my memory. And of course, when I had kids of my own, took them out there as well.

But now, my feeling after the first three days was that I’d had enough. So much so, that I checked out a day early and came home. Banff no longer needs my company and I no longer need hers. For people who don’t live in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains and long to see its beauty, they likely think what I’m saying is sacrilege. Perhaps though it’s the same for all of us. Our own backyard gets old.

Another important lesson was that I hate traveling alone. I prefer traveling to see family or friends, or if I’m going somewhere new I’d like to experience it with someone else, whether a friend, family, a travel group, or that ever-illusive partner. I won’t be traveling unless I can share it with others who are experiencing the same things.

And while I’m aware that the Rockies are gorgeous and stunning, my travels need to take me much further. There are so many places I long to see that I still haven’t, and those need to be higher on my list of things to do. The trip I most want to take is to Europe, specifically I’d like to do a week in Austria, a week in Switzerland and two weeks in Italy. Italy especially has been a lifelong dream. And there’s family in Austria and Switzerland that I’d like to meet.

Taking action towards dreams is important. Saving enough money for this trip is really important. The steps to make it a reality need to be concrete. I don’t want to go alone, so family and friends if you’re interested let me know!

So that’s what Banff taught me… I need to travel to the places I’ve always dreamed about, and stop compromising on things that are just for me. I’m important! I need to remember I’m as important as Hashem thinks I am! If I don’t think so as well, then it doesn’t do me much good to know He thinks so.

And on that note, another observation from Banff. While I was out there, I went out to eat several times. As I sat in these very full restaurants I would observe people. And what I saw was a bit shocking and deeply disturbing. Virtually every table where a couple sat they were each scrolling through their phones and not engaging with each other. Even larger groups of four or six were often doing the same. It has saddened me deeply. Here I was sitting alone observing couples even more alone than myself. It was awful. I’m still somewhat of the mind that smart phones really aren’t that smart. I think they’ve done more harm than good. Social media especially has fed us the lie that we’re more connected when the reality is that we’ve become deeply disconnected from the people actually in our lives.

Having said that, it’s good to know I do and will do things differently than what I saw. Despite coming home a day early from a short holiday, I appreciate that it taught me a couple of important lessons. Lessons that I won’t forget.

Oh and, I got no painting done until I got home! Even that is easier to concentrate on in familiar surroundings. Updates are coming soon….