Oh the places you will go...
My alarm clock had conspired against me….. again. I was running late.
My nails still had to be done. My hair was doing its best impression of a wig from “Queen Charlotte.” (an impression that left much to be desired) And my baby sister, ever the time keeper, followed me around, reminding me of just how late we were becoming. There were gray skies and threats of a downpour.
Suffice it to say, this was a less-than-ideal start to my birthday.
We got on the road and almost instantly met with traffic. I wondered if we should just call the whole thing off and go home. But the time keeper insisted we stay the course.
By now, I was too tired to fight, so I surrendered and decided to let the day take me where it wanted us to go.
It was in that moment of surrender that the traffic began to lighten up and let us pass. Before I knew it, we were five minutes away from our first destination of the day.
I don’t know if you’ve heard, but we Philadelphians live approximately one hour away from the world’s second-largest Hindu Temple.
Yes, you read that correctly, the second largest one in the entire world.
It is the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, and it sits in, of all places, Robbinsville, New Jersey.
Of course, I saw pictures previous to my arrival, but as I soon learned, nothing would prepare me for its breathtaking beauty.
The moment we stepped onto the campus, the clouds parted and the sun made its appearance just in time for us to see that the campus is set up in three distinctive sections. The first is the welcome center, the second is the Mandir, and the third is the Akshardham Mahamandir.
Immediately when you arrive, you are greeted with a deep sense of stillness and of peace. There is so much to learn, so much to take in. So much to say, so few words capable of adequately encompassing it at all. It is regal. It is majestic. It has all the decor of a palace without any of the pomp and circumstance.
Often, when we think of birthday getaways, we imagine faraway places like the Maldives, Paris, or Japan. And yet, as you can see, just over the bridge in Jersey is exactly where I needed to be.
Our itinerary was packed, and we had to pull ourselves away from this magical space.
We decided that a snack would help lull us away until next time, and had been advised that David’s Chocolate Factory (which is conveniently located 5 minutes away) would be just the place. The advice was spot on. From the moment you arrive, the employees are attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. The aromas and the selection are unmatched, and we left with a bag full of goodies that would have been more than worth the tummy ache had we let our worser instincts take over.
Our next destination found us just 20 minutes away in Hamilton, New Jersey, at The Grounds for Sculpture. This is where art & nature lovers come to connect and unwind. It is a 42-acre sculpture park that has art everywhere you look, and each space holds something remarkable to see. Sometimes the art is in plain view, and in other moments, it can be delightfully found in a nook or cranny.
The magnolias were in full bloom on this day. Another kind gift our journey shared with us.
When we finally arrived home after the day's travels, I found myself with a renewed sense of openness. Exhaustion for sure, but also a humming just beneath my skin.
As I lay in bed that night, this wave of expansion came over me. It was like watching a slideshow of the moments that had led to this one. What would have happened if I had insisted on turning back when we found ourselves in traffic? What if I hadn’t asked for recommendations for the day?
Our lives are often carried by the decisions we make and sometimes even more so by the options we decline.
When meeting with prospective clients, I usually offer the perspective that interior design is not just about the purchases you make for your home, but rather the larger question about how it is that you want to live.
Milestones are often a space for reflection on journeys traveled and dreams yet to manifest. This birthday and meeting my 20th year in business offered me a moment to ask myself about my own life.
How often in the past did I say “no” to something wonderful? How many more emphatic and maybe even hesitant “yes’s” would open new portals in my life?
Will there be more “no’s” in my future? Of course, that’s unavoidable. They will be especially directed to the aforementioned team.
But will I be more open, more willing, and more mindful of the possibilities in the journey that lies ahead of me?
A thousand times: yes.