I’d like to introduce my Father to you, Ray Ducat, who’ll be guiding you through the world of travel by cruise.  Full of practical tips and suggestions, I’ll present a series based on his experiences and passion for travel. 

In his mid 60’s, Ray has travelled overseas just about every year, since he was 25, which is not a bad effort considering we live in Australia and exploring the world is that much more expensive.  He’s flown on 55 different airlines, (he likes to try as many as possible and keeps track), been to 115 different airports around the world, and his more recent adventures have been exploring different cruises around the globe. 

Growing up, we used to joke about how well educated he was on travelling, to the point where he had more reference material than his travel agent and used to loan some of his books to him.  He was a workaholic (now retired), with no other hobbies than planning his next trip, so that was his escape; 3 weeks a year travelling.  Hence he loved to help friends and family plan holidays to maximise the unique experience while exploring the world. 

He’s instilled his passion for travel in most of our family, and I started a competition with him 10 years ago to travel first to countries he hasn’t been to yet (no mean feat since he’s travelled to so many countries).  Portugal was a win for me!

Now he’s a keen internet researcher, and would like to share his travel passion with like-minded people, so I hope you’ll enjoy his series ‘Cruisin’ with Ray’ and gain valuable ideas to make the most out of your travel.

Welcome to the first instalment of the journey, to live a Life on Purpose.  I hope to provide inspiration, guidance, tools, tips and techniques, to guide you in your quest to improve your life.

Do you ever ask yourself “Why am I here?”

When I was running the family business, my future was mapped out (or so I thought).  I’d dedicated 13 years of my life to it, keeping tradition alive, and nurturing family pride.  Even when times were stressful in the business, I always felt a certain comfort in the fact that I was doing what I was meant to be doing.  “I had an identity”, “my life had meaning”.

After selling the business, I was at a crossroad, not sure which path to take.  Who am I now? What will I do? What am I meant to do? Why am I here?

… and so started my quest to create a new life.  I realised I had limitless possibilties, but where do you start? Too much choice can be scary; I needed direction.

That’s when I came across The Secret and The Law of Attraction.  Realising that mind mastery and focussing on positive thoughts would empower me and give me the direction I sought, I read, watched and listened to countless personal development books, CD’s and DVD’s, and gradually worked out what I wanted to do with my life.  I wanted to be one of those people to jumped out of bed each morning excited to start the day, doing what they love to do, passionate about life.

One of the first steps I took to Live my Life on Purpose, was to work out ‘What is my Life Purpose?’

While there are many ways to Define Your Life Purpose, here are some simple questions to stimulate your thought.  It is best if you make time to sit quietly, without distraction, to focus on you, your dreams, and what you ideally want in your life.  Perhaps sit by a river or in a park, or light a candle in a quiet room, or play some inspirational music, find a special place and go within - do whatever puts you in the mood for reflection.

1. What are 2 unique qualities you have? e.g. I am passionate, considerate, enthusiastic…
2. How do you like to express those qualities when interacting with other people? e.g. to inspire, to educate, to mentor, to guide…
3. What is your ideal life like? Picture it in your mind’s eye.  If you didn’t have to worry about money, or how you’d achieve it,
   • What would you be doing?
   • What would you have?
   • Who would you be with?
   • Where would you be?

Now put those three answers together to make a statement, then look within to see how it makes you feel.  Are you excited? Are you energised?

Here are the life purpose statements from some prominent people, to evoke ideas for you:

·         To inspire and empower people to achieve their destiny. [1]

·         To humbly serve the Lord by being a loving, playful, powerful, and passionate example. [2]

·         To leave the world a better place than I found it, for horses and for people too. [3]

·         To educate and inspire people to live their highest self based in courage, purpose, and joy, versus fear, need, and obligation. [4]

When you have designed a statement that fills you with emotion, maybe brings a tear to your eye, fills you with hope or brings a lump to your throat, that’s it! That’s what you are ‘here’ for.  that’s what you’re ‘meant to do’.  If you can live your life by this statement, then you’ll truly be living with passion.  Take one day at a time, and stay tuned for how to take action, to start living your life by the statement you’ve just developed, to Live your Life on Purpose!

Two books which inspired my journey, were ‘You can Heal your Life’ by Louise Hay, and ‘The Success Principles, How to Get from Where You are to Where You Want to Be’, by Jack Canfield.

 Remember, you are surrounded by all that you need [5]