Greetings from Thailand!
In the midst of these challenging times it appears we have made a momentous breakthrough with not one, but two vaccines showing an efficacy rate beyond what many of us even believed was possible.
There's still a lot to be unearthed and understood as far as the vaccines go, to say nothing of the worldwide logistical challenges of getting them out, but I wanted to share a few thoughts on the bigger picture of this story of trial, tribulation, and the possibility of what we can accomplish when we work together.
First, I think many people are uncertain or anxious about such a new vaccine, and I want to say that that is completely okay - you are well within your rights to be cautious and it's nearly always a good idea to look for more information than to act hastily. The goal I think is to hold a positive and patient state of mind and wait for further developments to be revealed.
However, I also believe that energy goes where your attention is directed, and this is an opportunity to reflect on the marvellous things we can achieve when we humans work together. This applies to the ingenuity and brilliance of scientists all over the world working tirelessly to understand the virus and develop these vaccines, and also to the tens of thousands of people who participated in the trials to test them out.
One of the main reasons we were able to move this vaccine through the trials so quickly was the massive numbers of participants with the courage to take part in the trials, allowing for far greater statistical accuracy and identification of potential side effects. In a time when division seems to dominate the news, I am truly grateful and inspired by the actions of so many people doing what they can to help out.
What a remarkable form of energy hope is...it breathes life into us even when the odds seem stacked against us, and allows the space for possibility to emerge. When we're in a state of possibility, new actions open up to us, and we can find our way through the darkness. There are many problems in the world that can be depressing to think about, but as we stand on the doorstep of solving this one, turn your thoughts to hope and the incredible things we can achieve when we work together.
Now, the bright news of the day will take some time to manifest, and there's no question the situation is trending in the wrong direction through most of the world, Canada included. There are many people deserving of our gratitude and support, and I think it's up to the rest of us to continue to do our part by wearing masks, avoiding crowds, and whatever else we can do to slow the spread until the vaccines arrive.
While you're waiting, consider joining us for one of our upcoming webinars that you'll find below, perhaps the one on unusual river cruises, or the next instalment of our Incredible Rail Journeys series. We're also aiming to release more info on our proposed long stay programs for next winter, so stay tuned for that in the coming weeks.
Stay hopeful my friends, and let's keep the dream of travel alive 🙂
Cheers!
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