Back Door Travel Philosophy

From Rick Steves Europe Through the Back Door

"Travel, like the world, is a series of hills and valleys. Be fanatically positive and militantly optimistic. If something's not to your liking, change your liking.
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"fanatically positive and militantly optimistic"... I can do that. :-)

Pay It Forward

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NLT
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So this is the ultimate in role modeling. Thank you, Lord, for being an incredible model for me for how to live my life. Help me to be better at it and to grow more in understanding you so that I may be better at it.

Answered Prayers

I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.

Psalm 17:6, NLT

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I don't think he even has to bend down. He's right here beside me, every step of the way, answering my prayers before I even know what to pray for. Praise God!

Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge.

Psalm 16:1, NLT

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I've always said, "I try to be cautious without being paranoid." It's a fine balance. One of the things that makes it easier to not be paranoid is this prayer. I actually don't even say the second half most times, I just pray, "Keep me safe, O God." Knowing that he will keep me safe keeps me from being paranoid and focused on the negative.

A Cheerful Heart

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength.

Proverbs 17:22, NLT |

So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can.

Ecclesiastes 3:12, NLT |

Appreciating Diversity and Talent

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

1 Peter 4:10, NLT

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We are each crated uniquely and should appreciate each other for those gifts! And of course, use our gifts to serve one another and not ourselves. A tall order!