Discover New Adventures
When the late Rainer Jenss asked me to be on the advisory board for the Family Travel Association, little did I know what an honor it would be. It brought to life a blog I wrote some years back, counting how many vacations days we really have to travel with our children from the age of 6 to 18. When I saw how low the number really was, it put into perspective what family travel is all about and how much dedication it takes as a parent to share those little moments. Rainer and every other parent were right, the time goes go by very fast. And family travel is really about tests, isn’t it? No, not a test on your patience, though that can happen at times, rather a test of whether or not a destination was truly family focused, or merely family tolerant.
I first tested Egypt as a family destination when my son Shiv was two years old. Too young I know, however it still didn’t stop my family and I from having a blast. Fast forward to March 2025, my final spring break with Shiv before he heads off to higher education institutions, and it was time to let a 13 year old and an 18 year old test Egypt again, this time during Ramadan.
If I thought taking my son 15 years ago was fun, little did I know how much fun this would be as my wife and I watched Egypt unfold through the eyes of our children. This visit was such an adventure. Sunrise private hot air balloon where we celebrated Shiv’s birthday, seeing the tomb of Neferhotep just opened last year after a 30-year restoration and so much more, topped off with a desert sunset on ATVs in the West Bank. My daughter Jaya had me in stiches. After telling me she was hungry and sleepy, like most 13 year olds would say, she rode the ATV tandem with me while I sent my wife and son off on their own bikes. As I squeezed down the throttle, letting her drive with me, I asked her if she was still tired and still sleepy. The answer, nope!
The best part was seeing how curious my children have become —my son, a history buff thanks to his history class on ancient civilizations, and my daughter, who had been learning about King Tut in her 6th-grade class last year. It wasn’t just what they learned that amazed them; it was the fact that the history they had studied was being challenged and rewritten at every turn. They were comparing what they had read with what they were experiencing and discovering in that moment – and drawing their own conclusions.
Now if that’s not learning, what is?
We started off the year sharing my father’s work, an alphabet he was working on at the time of his passing. At the end of 2024, we found his complete work and are releasing each letter throughout the year. This week, we share the next letter.
E – Empathy: Connect with others through understanding and compassion.
Empathy is a powerful and essential aspect of human connection. It involves the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, showing compassion and support in various situations.
Active Listening: Empathy begins with actively listening to others. It involves giving our full attention, avoiding interruptions, and truly understanding what the other person is expressing. Pay attention to non-verbal cues such as body language and facial expressions. These can provide valuable insights into someone’s emotions and feelings. Acknowledge the other person’s emotions. Let them know that their feelings are understood and accepted, even if we may not fully agree with their perspective. Try to see things from the other person’s point of view. This helps in understanding their emotions and experiences, fostering a deeper connection. Communicate that we understand the other person’s feelings. Show that we care by offering support. This could be in the form of words of encouragement, practical assistance, or simply being there for someone in times of need.
Avoiding Judgment: Empathy involves suspending judgment and accepting the other person without criticism. It’s about creating a safe space for them to express themselves. In conflicts, empathy can be a powerful tool for resolution. Understanding the underlying emotions and concerns of all parties involved can pave the way for finding common ground.
Empathy involves understanding diverse perspectives and being open to learning from others with different backgrounds and experiences.
In summary: In personal and professional settings, Empathy contributes to a positive and supportive environment. It builds bridges between individuals, fostering cooperation, understanding, and a sense of community. Cultivating empathy is a continuous process that can lead to stronger connections and a more compassionate world.
Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another and feeling with the heart of another.
– Alfred Adler.
Stay tuned for letter F
Lately, I’ve been thinking about a Political Science professor I had during my sophomore year at the University of Arizona in Tucson. It was five years after the assassination of India’s Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, three years before India would enter into a tense missile standoff with Pakistan, and five years before the terrorist attacks on the parliament building in New Delhi. Dr. O’Neill, who not only correctly predicted that Arizona would win the NCAA tournament against Kentucky but also forecasted that India would eventually rise to the top of the global GDP rankings. Most of the class thought he was nuts, but I thought he was onto something. This was in 1997, when India ranked as the 10th largest economy in the world. At the time, with the second-largest population globally, India’s economic standing was more about quantity than quality.
Now, as I write this from the historic Imperial Hotel in New Delhi during the Holi festival, it feels fitting to reflect on how India is on the brink of becoming one of the top three global economies. I recently had the honor of exhibiting at Luxury Tribe, the exclusive invite-only luxury travel conference focused on outbound luxury travel from India. I was also privileged to speak about the rise of socially responsible travel to a room full of luxury advisors, who are clearly witnessing a paradigm shift.
In 1997, I was hopeful for India. Today, I am simply proud.
Happy Holi.
We started off the year sharing my father’s work, an alphabet he was working on at the time of his passing. At the end of 2024, we found his complete work and are releasing each letter throughout the year. This week, we share the next letter.
D – Determination: Stay focused on our goals and aspirations.
Determination is a key factor in achieving success. It involves staying focused on our goals, pushing through challenges, and maintaining a positive mindset even when faced with obstacles. By embodying determination, individuals can overcome difficulties, learn from failures, and ultimately reach their desired outcomes.
The analogy of a rock getting thinner with the repeated fall of water highlights the transformative power of sustained effort. Just as water gradually shapes a rock through persistence, individuals can achieve their objectives by consistently working towards them. This message serves as a reminder that progress may be slow, but with determination, even seemingly impossible tasks can be accomplished over time.
Do not quit soon. Determine our goals and reap the rewards of our hard work. Say no to cutting corners with strong determination. Accomplish our goals in life is challenging.
But determination is “will power” and sense of direction to realize and reach our goals. Determination focusing on life skills throughout our journey and allow us to take on any challenges thrown towards us and move up the ladder and be at the top of our game. Never distort our determination by clinging our thoughts about our ability to reach our goal. It is not just about achieving specific goals but also about developing resilience, adaptability, and the capacity to learn from failures.
Desire, Dedication, Discipline and Determination. When combined, these four qualities create a powerful framework for personal and professional growth.
In summary, Determination is the strength that will enable us to pass the barrier of useless thoughts in order to create positive thoughts and maintaining a positive mindset can significantly impact the journey toward success.
“When progress is in short supply bring a surplus of Determination.”
Stay Tuned for Letter E
