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Travel insights from Beth Kitzman, BDM for VAX VacationAccess
Gratitude in 2020
Gratitude in 2020, is that a contradiction in terms? This year has not been tops on my list in the undisclosed number of years I have been around, so gratitude is something I need to dig a bit deeper than usual for. The good news is that honestly it really isn’t too far down. Here are my top five gratitude feelings for this year, in no particular order.
1. Industry Relationships
I cannot express enough how much I love the connection and relationships I have made working in this industry! The amazing friendships I have with advisors and suppliers that have pulled me through some darker times in the last eight months! Many were furloughed, let go or business stalled just like me and yet still made phone calls to check in, spread their positivity or inspirations in multiple ways. Some have been mentors to me without even realizing it. Thank you to all of you, if you know who you are (and I hope you do).
2. My VAX Team
I truly hope that everyone, at one point in their career, has the opportunity to work with a team that provides them the chance to say they LOVE their job! I do because I work with a group of people who are supportive, open to ideas, who share the load, and are fun and inspiring! I’m exceptionally grateful for the bare bones team that carried us through these last few months while still inspiring us to grow and develop resources.
3. Family Time
I’m certain this category resounds with many of us. The initial lockdown of this pandemic made us all slow down in a way that none of us would ever have anticipated.
While there were certainly days that we all needed our own space, the extended time with my husband and daughter was amazingly beneficial. We all had time to take journey of learning more about each other and how to accept, love and grow together. There may have been a day when Casey and I gave each other rainbow hair…fun times!
4. Travel Opportunities
Maybe not so much this year, but this position as afforded me the opportunities to visit so many destinations and experience different modes of transportation and cultures that I wouldn’t have otherwise had the chance to experience. It has taught me so much about opening your heart to other cultures, how different destinations nourish different clients’ desires, that vacationing means different things to different people and that I totally want to retire to a place that has large bodies of water because that truly feeds my soul. People-watching through the entire travel process is fantastic, too! Seriously though, travel has expanded my body, mind and soul in so many ways, and I’ve learned more than I can express here.
5. Parent Time
This year, five days into 2020, I lost my dad so, needless to say the year started off in the wrong direction immediately. What I didn’t expect was the opportunity to take advantage of spending five weeks, spread over the summer and fall months, with mom my and stepdad. They have a cute little cottage on the lake in Iron River, Wisconsin. Because I was furloughed for six months, I was afforded the chance to get up to that little peaceful getaway three different times for the benefit of my mental wellness, and to share some very special and memorable times with my mother. I can honestly say I have a new respect and appreciation for this lovely woman that raised me that probably never would have happened without these extended visits together.
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