Passport, Please.

As I prepare for yet another rewards trip abroad, I reflect on all the other wonderful trips I’ve been on thanks to my wonderful job.

Let’s see here…

I’ve seen Vietnam three times.

Thailand five times.

Singapore three times.

China.

Bali.

Malaysia three times.

London.

Paris.

Rome twice.

Greece four times.

And that’s just to name a few. Am I lucky, some would ask? To put it simply, and in my opinion, no.

You see, I was lucky that I ever attended that first ever party that introduced me to my career, a career that’s given me hundreds of opportunities to travel.

But I’ve worked hard, tirelessly, I’d even say, towards each and every one of those trips; towards every new car I’ve been lucky enough to upgrade; to sending my children overseas, and watching my husband live out his life-long dream of playing golf in St. Andrews.

And working hard is a battle, no doubt, but they have given me so much: a healthy income, sure, but the absolute change of mind travelling has allowed me adopt.

There is something to be said for the first ever time you step onto foreign soil with your family beside you – it’s awe-inspiring, it’s surreal and it’s downright incredible. Here’s a family of four flying to those postcard locations, and seeing things half the world will never get to experience.

My children have seen the world, how – literally – the other side lives, and showed them never to take anything for granted.

To enjoy every second of a different life, and to, most importantly, apply yourself, work hard, and reap the benefits you deserve.

I’ve shown them that they can grow towards being better humans, and it can all be done by doing what you love.

And I have seen them do it, and that is something I will never be able to replace, because giving your kids the world is every parent’s dream.

Travel is not just about jumping on a plane and flying for over 24 hours to see some ruins in the middle of a bustling city – it’s about the endless possibilities life grants us that sometimes we have to take.

Reward yourself every once in a while – the world’s not going to stop turning if you take a short break, take that from someone who can’t turn her phone off for five minutes to catch a nap.

And the hard work? It will seem all the more sweet when you’re able to sit down on a beach in the middle of nowhere and think, This is exactly what I needed.