What do you give up to get to Negril

[Lola]

Dream on, Lola....we all create our own reality, nah tru?!

northcoast! fist bump

[Jeri365]

[I][put aside the guilt of not spending that precious time with my children /I]

We've been leaving the kids behind for years now. I believe my husband and I are better parents for taking the time to reconnect with each other. Now that they are older (17 & 19) they think it's time we bring them along. Haha. I told em save $1000 and you can come too...

[rastagirl777]

Give up? I don't know that I give up anything. I earn everything though. Including my trips to Jamaica. Haven't paid airfare in so many years I can't count - that's because I fly for business all the friggin' time.

I don't look at it as "give up". I've always lived life on my own terms, managing my own priorities. I work hard to make sure I don't have to give up anything. Life is too short, ya gotta grab it by the balls and go for it.

[Katho]

I think everyone mentioning what they've "given up" is still living life on there own terms. I really wouldn't say any of it affects their quality of life. I work hard, but I still need to not be frivolous to make it to Jamaica every year. That's what I see here. People cutting out the unnecessary things in life. More people should do that.

[Sweet_Dawta]

. Life is too short, ya gotta grab it by the balls and go for it.

I hear you on the life is too short. Thinking like Betty White, if life had balls and you grabbed it, wouldn't that be painful. I give life a nice set of buns, grab it and smack it....BAM:-)

My life choice is not to 'give up' too much today for a trip in the future that may or mayn't come.

[suzengrace]

I give up seeing other parts of the world...I always make sure one trip a year is spent somewhere other than Jam..but all the other time I have left for the year is spent on trips to Jam...And to get any extra time off I do sacrifice my time here--I try work all holidays, weekends, extra shifts...so I can earn extra $$$ and time-off to make it to Jam..

[rastagirl777]

"That's what I see here. People cutting out the unnecessary things in life. More people should do that."
The time I spend in Jamaica always teaches me to simplify...simplify my day to day, my percieved needs - and by doing that alone some money is indeed saved when I'm there. I just don't need that much there! I guess what I meant by not giving anything up is that my life in the states somewhat mirrors my life in Jamaica - I live humbly, don't need much...and while I work hard I make sure I play hard too. Life and enjoying it to its fullest is about balance...that's what I strive to achieve (not always too successfully, but definitely mindfully).

If the past ten years have taught me nothing the losses I've experienced have taught me to live each day like its the last one on earth and never take anything for granted. I'm grateful and show it by celebrating the life I am blessed with.

More people should DO THAT, in my opinion

[booger]

Well said Rastagirl. Work hard play hard. I wake up every morning and decide what kind of day I'm going to have, not letting anyone else dictate that. The more people I lose the more I am reminded how short life really is.

[gerryg123]

I agree. Our experiences are what make us who we are. It's worth it to save up for Negril -- others don't understand, but I would sacrifice five or six $100 dinners for a plane ticket any time!

[NegrilIrene]

Thank you all for your great replies, you've given me a lot to think about.