In April, I flew to Arkansas for nine days, the state where I had lived for a year as an 18-year-old exchange student. When I landed in Memphis after a smooth journey, something remarkable happened. I exited the plane and walked towards the car rental counters through the arrival hall. To get there, you have to go outside for a bit. As I felt the temperature on my skin and inhaled the air, I was overwhelmed by the feeling that “everything is already okay.”

I had overcome a lot of flight shame to allow myself this trip to visit old friends and experience the total solar eclipse. Now that I was there, I felt in every way that I “needed” to be there, that it was right. Then the thought came to me, “Being here is the most important thing; everything that happens is a bonus.” This thought brought about a wonderful sense of inner peace and freedom.

When I arrived at the car rental counter, it turned out I wasn’t the only one wanting to experience the total solar eclipse: all the rental cars were gone. Despite having a fully paid reservation, there were no cars available. In fact, I became number 17 on the waiting list, with no guarantee that any cars would be returned that evening. Although this situation had plenty of potential to cause stress, the inner peace remained fully intact. The man behind me in line joked that this was a good meditative moment. I completely agreed; I saw the whole situation as a beautiful exercise in patience and trust.

After waiting for three hours, I received the keys to a rental car and continued my journey to Arkansas. That week, everything seemed to fall into place almost effortlessly. In the weeks and months before my trip, I had already made concrete plans with some old friends, but many meetings could only be finalized on the spot. All the appointments came together like puzzle pieces; meeting everyone on my list was truly amazing. Some I had seen several times since my exchange year, others I was meeting for the first time in 34 (!) years. Although it didn’t feel like a farewell, I was very aware of the possibility that I might be seeing some people from the older generation (like my host father, the neighbor, and a few teachers) for the last time. Without any expectations, from a sense of freedom and inner peace, I experienced a wonderful week.

Fast forward two weeks later. I’m back in the Netherlands and on my bike on the way to my son Thijs. Every Tuesday afternoon, I go to him to help with dinner. It was sunny, and I enjoyed being outside. At the last traffic light, where it took a while to turn green, I stood still and felt the sun on my face. At that moment, the same thought came to me again, “Being here is the most important thing; everything that happens is a bonus.” I suddenly realized that this thought, this perspective, applies to all of life.

What if you really let “being here (on earth, in this life) is the most important thing, everything that happens is a bonus” guide you? What unprecedented possibilities open up for you then? Play with this thought this week, and be curious about its effect. It might just surprise you!

I wish you much joy in your discoveries!