Get Into the Journey

Life is not the same without a daily dose of The Independent. I've become addicted to it-the features are diverse, interesting, well written and somehow always relevant to the ideas that I share as a life and wedding coach.

Last week I seemed to keep reading stories that carried a message about journeys- both travel and life ones. In particular, a feature entitled The Road Less Travelled about hitch-hiking in which the writer, Simon Usbourne travelled from London to the most Northern tip of the UK -John O' Groats by thumbing lifts from complete strangers. It took him two and a half days and twelve lifts(11 blokes and one female) for him to complete the almost 700 mile journey. On the way he talked to each driver and photographed those that were willing. In his words, he was in turn moved, transfixed, and even horrified by the characters that he met all of whom added rich detail to the stunning landscapes that he was travelling through and had the time to appreciate. The story of his journey was captivating -as life is when you take the the time to absorb all that exists and happens. Often, the journey really is more important then the destination.

And in her autobiographical book-Pleasures of a Tangled Life-Jan Morris has this to say 'Travelling can be done well or badly, conscientiously or with a slovenly disregard of detail and nuance. ''Doing it well means putting up with irritants like being overcharged or robbed, because the miseries of travel are "the salt that gives them flavour".

Anyone who has worked with me or even visited my website knows how much emphasis I put on the value of the wedding journey. The months before you marry are full of new people, life events, emotions, decisions, challenge and change. It is a unique time and every single moment is precious. It's necessary to let go of the need to control everything and to release expectations of it being smooth running and plain sailing. Also to embrace all that it is-the so called disasters as well as the triumphs and to accept that everything doesn't go to plan for a reason-Always, ALWAYS for a reason. Adopting that belief brings untold relief!

Journeys are meant to be colourful, unpredictable, enlightening, surprising and crammed with opportunities to learn and grow. It's just that sometimes they are heavily disguised. Welcome it all and know that your own individual wedding journey contains all that you need to arrive at your wedding day wiser, stronger and ready to get married. You only have to make sure that you are open to receiving it!