Month: March 2026

If we were the pilots of our own flight of life’s fulfillment and meaning, would the Universe choose who would accompany us on our journey? 

Let’s see. There would be a flight crew, a co-pilot, passengers, the occasional hijacker, terrorist, and a ground crew that would keep us safely soaring through the sky. We would round out our crew with that incompetent navigator who can’t seem to read a map  – but we love her anyway because she surprises us with never-ending detours.

With luck, our flight will be a long one, but many stops must be made along the way. As we soar through the skies of possibilities and destinations, some of those who share our journey will leave us. They will be dropped off at various airports to seek their own adventures, and we will continue on our odyssey with newcomers and our favourite remaining passengers. And, of course, there will always be those annoying hangers-on who will refuse to get off.

Those Intriguing Short-Haul Passengers

Some of those on board are short-haul passengers: making us laugh for a few moments, teaching us to cherish memorable acquaintances, and sharing their wisdom. They will remind us of the importance of appreciating different cultures and traditions during the brief time we spend together. 

Children will find mates of their own and board their own transport. Parents may cease to exist physically, and partners may decide your journey is no longer one they wish to share. Those nasty hijackers and terrorists may temporarily force us to deviate from our intended itineraries, but our trusty ground crew will set things right and have us on our way once again.

Sometimes there will be adversaries among our passengers. As the lionhearted pilot, we will equip them with parachutes and, with a quick farewell, send them on their way – perhaps with a gentle push. This will allow them to embark on their own escapades.

Long-Haul Passengers

These frequent flyers are composed of compadres, confidantes, supporters, admirers, dependents, adversaries, competitors, and tormentors. 

As we travel, we will discover that our planet is massive, its people complex, and that life outside our familiar sphere can sometimes be strange, messy, but always enlightening and wondrous. Our wanderlust will lead us to hidden gems, pursue unexpected opportunities, and take us on unscripted sojourns in stopovers we never imagined ourselves in. 

When our layover is done and it is time to board our departing flight to our next adventure, we will take with us a deeper understanding that our interpretation of how life should be lived is not the only way. Our horizons expand, and misunderstandings diminish, with open minds and a healthy pursuit of knowledge.

Unexpected Routes

Life’s flavours are found in the spices of unexpected routes. If we do not follow these diverted flight paths, we may regret the adventures that could have been. We were either in too much of a hurry or too afraid to make the stop. Those who took the chance and landed will have astonishing stories to share for a lifetime. Their quests will be magical!

Hope You Had a Pleasant Flight

Eventually, we will say goodbye to our fellow travellers, but their participation in our journey will be remembered with laughter, tears, affection, passion, battles won and lost, and exhilarating moments. Their presence in our odyssey was necessary to complete who we are.

We Packed It All and It Was Worth It!

Experience as much as we can pack into our flight: joy, grief, danger, outrageous fun and, above all, friendships. Lots and lots of new companions and intriguing encounters, creating memories to nourish our souls. We should not avoid the unknown but face happenstances head-on.

Nothing stays the same, nor should it. Assemble a freewheeling itinerary with lots of holes. Take calculated risks, enjoy the journey and take Robert Frost’s advice: take the road less travelled. 

Also read, Lost Your Compass in Mid-Life? Join the Virtual Kitchen Table.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

You are the pilot of your own flying machine, and the controls are in your hands. Where will you go today?

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Originally posted at: Madison LeCroy’s Polka Dot Cuffed Trench Coat

I’m an emotional eater. When I feel anxious or bored, I reach for something sweet. It’s a distraction that constantly needs feeding. After retirement, despite regular exercise, my belly expanded, and rolls appeared around my middle.

As a travel, food, and drinks writer, overeating is an occupational hazard. Tasting food is part of the job. After much frustration, I identified habits that needed to change: eating too much bread, high-calorie snacking during the afternoon and after dinner, overconsumption of sweets, and lack of portion control.

I adopted 8 behaviors to curb overeating while at home and while traveling. Every person is different. This is what worked for me:

#1: Limit Bread Consumption

Set a limit of two pieces of bread per day. I rarely eat bread for breakfast. My go‑to meal is yogurt and berries. At lunch, I’ll have a salad or a bagel with cheese, which keeps things simple without feeling restrictive.

#2: No Snacking After Meals

Cut out snacking after dinner and choose fruit for afternoon treats. If I do want something at night, I reach for low‑calorie options like homemade popcorn. It satisfies the urge to munch without turning into a full second meal.

#3: Cut Down on Treats

Eat sweets and savory snacks in moderation. Instead of cutting out treats completely, I focus on portion size. Two Hershey’s Kisses instead of five. A handful of almonds instead of a cup.

#4: Stick to Smaller Portions

Fill half your plate with salad and keep proteins to a reasonable minimum. I like salads with lots of color: greens, peppers, cucumbers, a few craisins, and a dressing I enjoy. For protein, I’ll eat half a chicken breast and save the rest for sandwiches or another meal.

#5: Use Beverages as Snacks

Prepare tea, low‑calorie hot chocolate, or other beverages as snacks. I learned this from my daughter, who lives in Scotland. A warm drink can be satisfying, especially when I’m not hungry but want something to mark a break in the day.

#6: Work Out with Weights

Strength training makes me feel challenged and tired in a good way. It’s less about burning calories and more about building a routine that supports how I want to feel in my body.

#7: Put The Scale Away

Weighing myself every day can set off emotional eating. Daily fluctuations can be discouraging and misleading. I’ve found that stepping back from the scale helps me focus on habits rather than numbers.

#8: Don’t Eat Unless You’re Hungry

Wait until you are hungry to eat. This sounds simple, but it’s surprisingly easy to forget, especially when travel disrupts your usual rhythms. Pausing to check in with actual hunger cues has made a noticeable difference.

One moment stands out. I was traveling last month, staying in a small hotel in Vietnam with a breakfast buffet that could tempt anyone into excess: warm pastries, cheeses, cured meats, fresh bread still steaming. A few years ago, I would have treated it like a challenge. But that morning, I paused.

I filled half my plate with fruit, added a small pastry I wanted, and made myself a cup of tea. Sitting by the window, watching the city wake up, I realized I didn’t feel deprived at all.

My 8 Habits

These eight habits aren’t about perfection or rigid rules. They’re about creating small, sustainable patterns that help me, whether I’m at home, on the road, or navigating a buffet in a hotel lounge after a long travel day. One mindful choice makes the next one easier.

Mindful eating doesn’t come easy. It takes practice, and each day may be different depending on whether you’re at a family reunion with a full spread or going out for drinks with co-workers after a long, hard day at the office. I find that some days are better than others. And sometimes I fall back into old habits. The good thing is, you can always try again. Eating less doesn’t mean depriving yourself; it means making careful choices about how you want to live.

Let’s Chat:

Do you deal with emotional eating? What have you tried that helps? What hasn’t been helpful?