I would personally qualify the above with the addition of two words: ‘Some of….’
It might be considered blasphemous in the travel blogging community, and among the propagators of solo and full time travel, to admit to not all (my) gladdest moments being travel related. But I shall be quick to add, that while the anticipation of a departure into lands unknown does not quite measure up to gazing upon the face of my newborn or the heart-swelling pleasure of a trusting grandchild’s hand in mine….it does come close.
What are your gladdest moments?
Related:
The Entire Travel Quote Series
The Urge To Wander 
My gladdest moments have frequently been departures into unknown places (unknown lands, abandoned places, some other kind of unknown) 🙂
Ah yes, I thought it might be Sue 🙂
🙂
There is a unique and different gladness in each of those scenarios you mention! A departure into unknown lands brings a pleasure that is more delight and anticipation, while the love of family and even the general theme of “home” is a pleasure that is more one of contentment and a happiness born of love and attachment. Splitting hairs on that definition of gladness, I admit, but I’ve recently been ruminating on an attachment to home things and people that exists in tandem with a deep-seated urge to roam, and I’ve decided I absolutely need both of these things to feel truly glad.
Oh yes, I wouldn’t survive without one or the other either! 🙂
Indeed, perfect for you.
Grateful for all of them Sally 🙂
Great quote, Madhu. I would also qualify it with the words, “Some of,” but in the main it’s very true, as my family is so wide-spread that I have to travel to far off lands to see them. I do so enjoy visiting “unknown lands” though. Those trips are especially exciting. 🙂
They sure are. Although our excitement over a forthcoming departure is being dampened by visa woes 😦
Sorry to hear that, Madhu. Hope it comes right for you. xx
Fingers crossed Sylvia!
Pretty much the same as yours Madhu and I might add creating something beautiful.
With your talent for craft I am not surprised Gilly. I too have derived great joy from my design projects.
You’ve got me thinking now! I think I’d have to go with little hands in mine: yesterday my great niece in the rainforest (at 7 she’s saving for a trip to Antarctica); in Warsaw my standoffish granddaughter; on Saturday even my 15 yo granddaughter. I’m not very demonstrative so they all made the move. Travel anticipation for me is always a bit gut-unsettling: I’d never call it “the gladdest moment” although I have such a thing once I’m there. Returning home is a “gladdest moment”, not that I’ve experienced it much this year, and so is doing something a bit challenging. Like thinking about my gladdest moment. (I suspect I can’t grammatically have so many gladdests!)
Ha, you can have as many gladdests as you please Meg…who cares about grammer! Your great niece sounds like a girl after my own heart, only wiser and more focused 🙂 Spanish visa hassles have my travel anticipation just as gut-unsettled at the moment. I am this close to swapping with someplace more welcoming.
Visa sorted, I hope.
Not yet filed!!! Hoping the applications will be accepted today. We are scheduled to depart on Aug 11!
No wonder you’re anxious.
Mine also rings true with travel to unknown and even known yet can never get enough of places, as well as spending time with my two little special people in my life. Which is why I am going to do both of these in the comcoming year, travel with my kids:) I love the anticipation and planing phase for my travels. I think I am also gladest when I have my heart on a challenge. Like starting a charity in Sri Lanka while traveling long-term as a solo parent with my kids. Yeah I can never settle for one moment, if I keep going some more will pop up, so I will stop here:) Great post to get us thinking Madhu!
Doing both is the way to go Shani! Good also that you are having trouble shortlisting from your list of gladdests 🙂 Good luck with that charity and the solo travel with your kids.
In the time of Internet and social media there is no such thing as ‘unknown destination’. A traveler has the means to check on a destination before setting foot on land. Hence the pleasure of traveling to ‘unknown destinations is mitigated. The pleasure is in human and cultural connectivity.
You are right, the internet has diminished the anticipation of the unknown somewhat, but I have rarely felt less excited or let down because of it. Pleasure to see you here Indra. Thank you for stopping by.
Wonderful question to pose! You’ve got us all smiling again thinking back on our gladest moments. Many, indeed, are those special times far from home. And then there are the ones most close to our hearts.
Hi Stephen, happy to have got you smiling 🙂 I so regret not having enough time to catch up with all my virtual friends. Grateful to you for staying in touch.
Your blogs are always a pleasure.
Some of my gladdest moments have come from travel, friends and family but also from impromptu acts of kindness toward someone in need.
The returns of kindness are always special. But travel seems to be the winning common denominator in this thread Lynne 🙂
I love travel, but always, my absolute favourite part of travel is when I see that Sydney Harbour Bridge from the sky and know in just an hour or so I’ll be back with my family an friends again.
I adore exploring this big beautiful world, but for me, there is no place like home.
Hubby is like you Carly,. I can sense his restlessness after a while on the road. I could go on a whole lot longer, I think. Have never tried a long enough stretch to test my limit 🙂
There are a lot of pleasant moments in life, but some of the best really are just when you’re about to leave for a trip into the unknown. At least I think so. 🙂
My gladdest moments is: when I am touring Himalayas.
I can imagine how exhilarating that must be Tushar! I am yet to set eyes on the mighty Himalayas, but I have a feeling they might very well top my list if/when I do manage to get there.
It’s among my most happiest moments, yet being grateful for being blesses to do so.
I agree Cornelia. Gratitude is in order for having a list to choose from! 🙂
Well of course I’ve been pleasantly surprised arriving at a new country for the first time, but my gladdest moments were watching my bride come down the aisle, and right up there with that was the first time I saw my two daughters being wheeled out for inspection after birth. Sure beats my travel experiences. 🙂
You are right Ian, those special moments that are hard to match 🙂
It seems to me that my gladdest moment was yesterday afternoon, sitting on my balcony and watching a breeze blow through the trees nearby.
Shimon, you underscore the importance of living in the moment and appreciating the small things in life….always! Thank you very much for the reminder.
Actually, despite loving to travel and see new places, new people, new experiences, my gladdest moments are when I’m at home and when I’m with my family. It may not be an excited gladness but it is a deep content of which there is no compare 🙂
I agree. Although an empty nest erodes the contentment somewhat and brings on the itch to travel more frequently 🙂 Thank you for spending time on my blog and for all the likes and comments Ken. Much appreciated.
Outside of family, my gladdest moments are when I’m creating and everything is clicking – the runner endorphin rush hits.
Ah yes, that would be mine too, if I could ‘create’ half as exquisitely as you Mary! 🙂
Well said, Madhu! And isn’t that a lovely comment from Shimon? A great reminder 🙂
I think our gladdest moments might feel different, each one a different swelling of the heart and lifting of the soul. My grandchildren being born felt much different than my jetting off to a new place. My discovery of a new small out of the way and beautiful little hidden jewel in my travels felt much different than my discovery I could be joyous on my own.
For gladdest moments- I’m with you on seeing the face of your newborn and the feel of the grandchild’s hand. The travel to unknown parts can be exhilarating but I’m always glad to be back home, reunited with my familiar bed.
At this time I would like to mention a quote from the movie “The secret life of Walter Mitty”: To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life.
One of the best ever.
My gladdest moment today was when I asked Chevvy [my dog] for a kiss, and she gave it unquestionably. Each day has one of those moments.
I think I agree…because this also includes reading new books and meeting new people and…well, I agree.
Lovely quote. I also love to travel. But my happiest moments are with my family. You mentioned two of them: gazing on the face of one of my newborn children or grandchildren and spending time with them. 😉