Alison’s Philosophy — Reconnecting to Yourself & Others

Great Characters I Have Met

[time to listen—1:23 minutes]

Travelers are great people. There are so many interesting characters with diverse backgrounds drawn to tropical islands. I call them “The Island Tribe.” Along the road I’ve met famous explorers, filmmakers, scientists studying whales, mothers traveling with their children, birdwatchers, aspiring writers, butterfly lovers and photographers. I’ve met divorcees healing and celebrating their new-found freedom, families exploring together, archeologists, musicians, wanderers, importers and exporters and executives on vacation. I’ve met grandparents traveling with their offspring, sun worshippers, treasure hunters, shell collectors and backpacking students from all over the world. I’ve met scuba divers, artists, dreamers, yachties sailing the seas and architects sketching. I’ve met people searching for islands to buy or rent, spa enthusiasts, retirees, empty nesters, raw foodists and yogis and yoginis stretching in the sun. I enjoy the meaningful connections I’ve had with ‘The Island Tribe.’ The tropics always encourage me to slow down, relax and enjoy the gift of simply being alive.

Keeping Your Family Ties Close and Strong

[time to listen—2:03 minutes]

Traveling together can keep family ties close and strong.

Over the years I had the pleasure and good fortune of traveling extensively with my family and friends all over the world. My parents believed in good, quality time together so we traveled a lot. We went to exciting and adventurous places together, which always enhanced our relationships. Our travels continue to keep our family ties close and strong. I created Tropical Living to provide beautiful, remote getaways where you can re-connect with your loved ones.

My fondest memories always seem to settle on the times I spent traveling with my family and friends. They bring a smile to my face and recapture the happiness of the times.

I remember:

Our numerous family sailing vacations throughout the Caribbean and can still picture us jumping off the stern into the ocean.

I remember the 6 months my mom and I took traveling around the world together.

The joy of holding hands with my mom while snorkeling in Fiji; marveling at the gigantic blue and pink colored clams beneath us.

Trekking in the Himalayas with my dad in the Kingdom of Nepal.

Seeing a whale breach with my sister, off the coast of Maui.

Scuba diving with friends on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Watching my husband, Lenny, laugh as we rode on the back of a Sumatran elephant through the rice fields of Bali.

Seeing the glow on my Dad’s face after his first 3-hour long Balinese massage and floral bath.

Traveling with my aunt Joanie and my mom in Indonesia; seeing their delightful reaction to the fire and trance dancing.

Walking on a glacier with my dad in New Zealand.

Sea kayaking with my husband along majestic sea cliffs and waterfalls.

Shell collecting with my sister along beautiful beaches.

Exploring an active volcano with my girlfriend at sunrise.

The gifts of travel continue… I now have the pleasure to relive my travel memories as I help my 19 year old nephew, Elia, prepare for his first solo journey around the world.

I created Tropical Living to provide beautiful, remote getaways where you can reconnect with your loved ones.

Honoring Your Parents

[time to listen—0:43 minutes]

I read somewhere once that NO ONE understands the cry of a child quite like a mother. No matter how old we get, we are ALWAYS their children. Our parents worry about us for their entire lives and how could they not? Just think about it: 50% of your body is made from each parent. As time passes and we get older, we begin to realize just how important our parents are. We see just how much they have given.

Give your parents the ultimate gift. Send them on a Tropical Living Renewal Vacation or, better yet, join them. No matter what you do, just tell your parents how much you love them.

Rainbow Bridge

[time to listen—3:20 minutes]

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown

Gifts for You

[time to listen—1:01 minutes]

In order to truly give, we need to learn how to receive. Being able to receive starts with receiving from ourselves. Tropical Living is a lifestyle that encourages you to look after what’s really important. It’s your life and YOU ARE in charge of it. I prefer to buy myself gifts than to wait for others to buy them for me. It’s just cleaner that way. You have earned the right and the pleasure to give yourself some much needed leisure in luxury. Giving yourself a Tropical Living Renewal Vacation will inspire you to live a happier, healthier more balanced life. Maroon yourself on a stunning tropical island for a week or two or give yourself some much needed alone time at a luxurious tropical spa.

Buy or rent yourself an island and give yourself a piece of paradise. Tropical Living may very well change the fabric of how you love, enjoy and honor yourself.

Gifts for Him

[time to listen—0:54 minutes]

It is natural to want to give to your significant other, the one who is dearest and nearest to you, that special someone who makes your life more interesting and stands by your side as you walk through life. It is such a rewarding feeling to give a magnificent gift that will be cherished always and out-live time.

Surprise your sweetheart and buy them a beautiful tropical island.

Tropical Living offers some of the most magnificent islands on earth.

Gifts for Your Children

[time to listen—0:49 minutes]

Enjoy more adventure and play time with your family.

Being successful in life often carries the burden of lost time. Recapture some time and bond with the most precious gift life has given you: your children. Escape to a breathtaking tropical island, rent a private villa or lounge with your kids at a luxury tropical spa. Ride barefoot on the back of an elephant through the terraced rice fields of Bali or climb an active volcano at sunrise.

Hold hands with your children while snorkeling and marvel at the colorful tropical fish in Fiji. Discover unique handicrafts at the local markets in Thailand or study turtles in the Seychelles.

I created Tropical Living to provide beautiful remote getaways where you can reconnect with your loved ones.

Gifts for Your Sisters or Brothers

[time to listen—1:22 minutes]

The relationships we have with our brothers and sisters are special.

It is because we argue, it’s because we cry when we see each other sometimes, it’s that familiar sound on the other end of the phone that lets us know we are connected in a way unlike no other relationship. Sometimes we get separated by marriage or career and forget that time has passed so quickly and spend years unable to find a way back to them. Tropical Living offers beautiful locations for reuniting, for saying “I’m sorry” or “I love you and miss you.” Maybe your brother or sister took care of your parents while you were busy with your own family or career. Or perhaps you see each other all the time and want to set aside special time for tropical adventures together.

Maybe your brother or sister are recovering from a divorce or a death, maybe they’re having a mid-course correction and have quit smoking or drinking. You can help guide them with time away or together. Send them off or, even better, join them on a Tropical Living Renewal Vacation.

Stretch with yoga, feel alive and jump in the ocean. Eat clean cuisine, enjoy long massages and walks in nature. Give the gift of Tropical Living, for a happier, healthier more balanced life.