We’ve all heard the saying, “Life is short.” It’s one of those phrases we hear so often that it can start to lose its meaning. But every once in a while, something happens that reminds us just how true those words really are. For me, that reminder came in 2018, when my younger brother, David, passed away.

Since then, I’ve looked at life a little differently. The phrase “life is short” has taken on a whole new meaning. It’s something I carry with me every single day, and it has become more real to me than ever that not a single one of us is promised another moment. That truth has reshaped how I approach life and travel. I think more about the experiences I want to have, the people I want to spend time with, and the memories I want to create. I’ve become more intentional about making time for the things that bring me joy. One of those things is travel.

I’ve been fortunate enough to explore some incredible places, from the historic streets of Rome and Florence to the beautiful beaches of Turks and Caicos and the breathtaking landscapes of Alaska. I love discovering new destinations, experiencing different cultures, and seeing the world beyond my own backyard. But there’s one place I keep coming back to, time and time again: Walt Disney World.

I know that for some people, spending so much time at Disney might seem a little excessive. Why go back when you’ve already been there? Why spend the time and money on a place that some people consider to be just for kids? For me, the answer is simple: because it makes me happy. And because I’ve learned that making time for the things that make you happy is worth it.

Disney World is where I can step away from the responsibilities of everyday life and feel a little more carefree. It’s where I can enjoy a favorite snack, wander through the parks, or simply take in the atmosphere. Plus, I don’t have to feel weird about being a middle-aged woman who grins ear-to-ear while giving Winnie the Pooh a big hug!

There’s something about walking down Main Street, U.S.A., that never gets old for me. The music, the smiling faces, and the anticipation of what’s ahead all bring me a sense of joy that’s difficult to explain to someone who doesn’t feel the same way. But that’s okay; we all have our own happy places. For some people, it’s a quiet cabin in the mountains. For others, it’s a beach with a good book and absolutely nothing on the schedule. For me, it’s often being in the “Disney Bubble”.

But my love for Disney is only one part of why I choose to travel as often as I do.

My love of travel started long before I began visiting Disney as an adult. Some of my favorite childhood memories involve family vacations. I remember my brother and I lying on the floor of our family minivan during long road trips and summers spent with our grandma, going to her neighborhood pool and the children’s museum in Houston. Even as a kid, I would often look at guidebooks for places I planned to visit and craft an itinerary of everything I wanted to see!

Those experiences have stayed with me. They’re a reminder that some of the most meaningful parts of our lives happen when we step away from our everyday routines and spend time with the people we love.

As I’ve gotten older, my love of travel has grown beyond family vacations. I’ve become fascinated by exploring new places, learning about different cultures, and discovering the history, architecture, and traditions that make each destination unique. I love the feeling of standing somewhere I’ve only read about or seeing a landscape that looks completely different from anything I’m used to.

Losing David changed the way I think about time. It made the phrase “life is short” a truth I carry with me every day. We can make plans for the future, but none of us know exactly what that future will look like. I want to experience the world while I can, spend time with the people I love, and have things to look forward to and memories to look back on.

It doesn’t mean that we should abandon the things we need to do today. It means recognizing that life is about more than working, paying bills, and keeping up with responsibilities. It means making room for the things that bring us joy, even when life is busy.

Travel gives us a chance to experience the world in ways we simply can’t from home. It opens our eyes to new perspectives, challenges us to try new things, and reminds us how much there is still to discover. Some of the most memorable moments in my life have happened far from home, standing in places rich with history, or being humbled and in awe of the earth’s natural beauty. Travel offers a unique perspective. It deepens our understanding of other cultures and ways of life, but it also reveals a lot about ourselves: our limits, our strengths, and our capacity to adapt to things outside of our comfort zones. It builds confidence and a sense of independence and adventure.

I’m not someone who believes that material things are inherently bad, but over time, I’ve realized that experiences are where so much of my happiness comes from. I remember the excitement of a family vacation, the feeling of seeing an incredible destination for the first time, or the simple joy of spending a day at Disney. Those memories stay with me long after the trip is over.

I’ve discovered that travel has a unique way of challenging me. It encourages me to step outside my routine, whether that means navigating a menu in another language or finding my way through an unfamiliar city. These moments build resilience and adaptability, and foster patience, curiosity, and a broader perspective. I return not just with memories, but with a deeper understanding of the world outside myself.

Travel also gives me something to look forward to. There’s excitement in researching a destination, planning an itinerary, and imagining all the things I’ll get to experience. When the trip is over, I get to carry those memories with me.

That’s a big part of why I love what I do as a travel planner, too. I get to help other people create experiences that are meaningful to them. The truth is, travel doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. It doesn’t have to be a trip across the world. It doesn’t have to be an expensive vacation or a perfectly planned itinerary. It doesn’t even have to involve getting on a plane.

Sometimes the most meaningful experiences can be the simplest ones: a weekend away, a road trip with your family, a visit to a place you’ve always wanted to see, or a few days spent doing something you love. The destination matters less than what the experience means to you.

I know that taking a trip isn’t always easy. There are budgets to consider, work schedules to coordinate, family responsibilities, and a million other things that can make travel feel out of reach. I know that not everyone has the same opportunities or circumstances. But if there’s a place you’ve been dreaming about visiting, or an experience you keep telling yourself you’ll get around to someday, I hope you’ll consider making it a priority.

Start small if you need to. Set a savings goal. Look at your calendar. Choose a weekend and plan a little getaway. You don’t have to have every detail figured out today. You just have to take the first step toward making it happen.

If you’re someone who loves Disney but sometimes wonders whether it’s silly to keep going back, I hope you’ll give yourself permission to enjoy what you love. You don’t have to justify your happy place to anyone else. For me, those frequent trips to Disney are about more than attractions, fireworks, or even the magic of the parks. They’re about choosing to make time for something that brings me joy. They’re about having experiences to look forward to and memories to cherish. Every time I return, I’m reminded of how grateful I am to have the opportunity to do something I love.

I write this not as a travel brochure, but as a heartfelt reminder: don’t wait. Book that ticket. Say “yes” to the adventure. Don’t let dreaming and planning endlessly postpone the living. Life is short. It can be heart-achingly fragile. But every sunrise you watch in a new place, every stranger who becomes a friend, every dish you taste for the first time…that’s how you live!

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• Set a Little Goal: Choose one place you’ve always dreamed of and give yourself a timeline: six months, a year, etc.
• Start Saving in Small Chunks: Skip one coffee run a week. Funnel that into a “trip fund.” It adds up faster than you think.
• Research Local Gems: You don’t have to go halfway around the world to feel transformed. Sometimes the most magical escapes are just a short drive away.
• Invite a Friend or Go Solo: Both have their own magic. Traveling with loved ones creates shared stories. while traveling alone invites self-discovery.

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I carry my brother in my heart every day, and he is part of the reason I try to live with a little more intention and joy.

Some of my most cherished memories are the ones I made with him. From childhood vacations to the experiences we shared as adults, those moments are a reminder of how precious our time together really is. I wish we had more time. I wish there were more trips, more conversations, and more memories still waiting to be made. But I’m grateful for the ones I have.

I want to keep creating new memories, both for myself and with the people I love. So when I book another trip, whether it’s to Disney World or somewhere I’ve never been before, I’m reminded of why I choose to travel as often as I do. It’s not about seeing as many places as possible or checking destinations off a list. It’s about making time for the experiences that make life feel full, remembering that we don’t have to wait for a special occasion to do something we love, and recognizing that the life we want to live is happening right now.

Life is short. Make the memories. Visit the places you’ve been dreaming about. Spend time with the people who matter most.

And if Disney is your happy place, go ahead and plan that next trip!

You’ll never regret the adventures you take—but you will regret the ones you let slip away. -Anon

In Loving Memory of

David Charles Hinds

September 7, 1987 – May 12, 2018