So, I have been pondering this thought for a few months now.  Why do/did I resist transformation for so long?  Why did I think I didn’t need it?  I’m just fine as I am.   I like myself.   I’m relatively happy. 

Finally, after 25 years of being invited by my very good friend and co-conspirator of this website and journey, she once again invited me to a 4-day program in Los Angeles and I wanted to get out of Dodge, Kona that is, so I said “Yes”!  Not that I thought I needed any work on myself or that I needed that kind of experience, but it had been years since I stayed in LA except for long layovers at the less than appealing airport. 

So, I packed my bags and off I went.  Well, I had to go shopping as the weather in LA is much cooler than in Hawaii.  I donated all my winter clothing when I moved back to Hawaii 10 years ago.  Arriving in LA I was shocked at the high intensity….the non-stop lines of cars in all lanes, many not moving at all.  There then was the non-stop construction of the airport and of the freeway.  Island living is definitely different than large city living …..especially LA.   And the thought of sharing a hotel room with 3 women, let alone 2 strangers, was another level of uncomfortableness.   I hadn’t done that since church camp when I was 12!! 

Well, I should backtrack and say with the construction, the detours, shuttles and blocked off areas in the terminals,  I totally missed the sign that indicated where my luggage would be and I just walked out totally forgetting my bags.  About 45 minutes into the taxi drive and half-way to the hotel, I realized that my bag was missing and I went into a full-blown panic attack. 

I started wondering how the hell could I even get back into the terminal let alone where it would be…with all the construction, nothing was normal. Then my thought was how to prove it was my bag….thinking I had discarded the small sticker indicating I had checked a bag.  Not in 50 years of me traveling has anyone ever checked that tag!!

I called my friend who, thank God, was already at the hotel and in the room.  We started brain- storming and decided that surely there would be a concierge service that would pick up luggage and, surely, we were lucky that day and found one who would pick up and deliver it to my hotel and did not drain my bank account.  But he needed the sticker #. 

Panicking in the taxi, I started rummaging through my purse and we all know what that’s like.  And, I had an extra-large purse because I was traveling.  At the very bottom of my purse was this crumpled piece of heaven that revealed the necessary number.   The stars were aligned that night in my favor.  Thank you universe!  Everyone was so kind…the concierge service, and the front desk clerk.   They reassured me that I hadn’t lost my mind…that indeed, people do forget their luggage and fairly regularly.  Whew!!

Why am I sharing this story?  Well, for a few reasons.  First about traveling alone…then about stretching oneself outside their comfort zone with strangers, then participating and I mean actively participating in a program that I was sure I didn’t need nor want. It comes down to transforming who you think you are (or are) into a better self, a confident self, a self-reliant person who faces fear of all kinds and learns the power of discovery and the rewards of transformation.  Become you who want to be. Stay tuned for the rest of the story…