Resolving to Live Life to the Fullest

The New Year is almost a month old. Along with many of you, I’m determined to live this year to the fullest!

Inspired by Janice Kaplan’s  Gratitude Diaries,  I am writing about as least one thing I am thankful for daily. And while it may seem a bit out there, I’m practicing the Superwoman pose in front of my mirror every morning. I didn’t come up with that on my one, but rather was inspired by Amy Cuddy’s popular TED Talk, “Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are.”

Someone suggested I include a picture of me in my Superwoman pose, but I think my granddaughter is so much cuter!

It turns out that these two activities were included in Life Hacks “30 Little Things to Do to Become a Different You in 2016.” I may be on to something because the list also suggests “travel some place new.” Well that’s right up my alley!

Combining the Love of Travel and a Passion to Empower Others

As you may know, I’ve spent much of my life helping adoptive families travel to their birth country via Adoptive Family Travel—travel that I LOVE being part of.

Lately, though, I’m thinking about new ways to help. How can I combine traveling to marvelous places with my passion to support organizations dedicated to helping people by empowering them? How can I help others do the same?

Check out this recent “Reasons Why People Travel Abroad” infographic from Travel Type.
How do your reasons compare?

Why People Travel Infographic from Travel Type

Are you among the 32% who are “curious about how others live”? Or, is your reason similar to the 24% who travel “to discover what’s really important in life.”?

Some people participate in a service or mission trip, which have increased in popularity in the past several years, as a way to fulfill these reasons. If you Google “What is a service trip?” you’ll find 625,000,000 results! So what is it?

According to VolunteerTourismViews, a service trip is “the practice of individuals going on a working holiday, volunteering their labor for worthy causes (such as) aiding or alleviating the material poverty of some groups in society, the restoration of certain specific environments or research into aspects of society or environment, in an organized way alongside touristic activities.”

Travel with Impact

But I envision a trip that is more about listening, learning, understanding, encouraging and supporting global communities and their efforts. Ripple Effect Journeys was created to do just that. Rather than “aiding or alleviating the material poverty of some groups in society,” Ripple Effect Journeys participants will walk alongside community members on their quest for change.

We’ll do so by taking you beyond the sights. Ripple Effect Journeys connects you with people striving to improve their lives and the organizations empowering them to do so. You’ll come to understand the challenges faced and champion the possibilities. As a result, we believe the desire to be a partner for change will accompany you home. That’s Travel with Impact!

Traveling with Ripple Effect Journeys, you’ll:

Travel with Impact – Ripple Effect Journeys

Ripple Effect Journeys – Peru

Our first trip will be to Peru where we’ll introduce you to Peruvian Hearts. Those of you familiar with Adoptive Family Travel, may remember that Ana Dodson, a Peruvian Ties participant, founded this organization. We look forward to introducing you to the girls Peruvian Hearts empowers. We can’t wait for you to hear their dreams and learn how they plan on making these dreams come true.

Peruvian Hearts Scholars: accounting student, Maribel (L); Electical engineering student, Rosa (R).

And let’s not forget the wonderful places we’ll visit along the way. Cusco, The Sacred Valley, and of course, Machu Picchu! I can almost hear the Peruvian Pan Pipes welcoming us!

Machu Picchu’s majesty awaits you!

We are thrilled to launch Ripple Effect Journeys and excited about its impact. Join us and you’ll meet amazing, like-minded people interested in a meaningful, impactful and fun travel experiences. I can’t wait for you to participate. If you or someone you know is interested in receiving further information about our trip to Peru or future Ripple Effect Journeys, please contact me at Bea@thetiesprogram.org.

Bea Evans

By Bea Evans, Ripple Effect Journeys Founder