November 28, 2025 • 20 mins
The holidays have a way of speeding up the calendar and slowing down the heart. We leaned into that pause to take stock of what truly mattered this year: a community that keeps showing up, trips that became milestones, and tiny travel comforts that somehow mean the most. From crossing a decade-long Napa and Sonoma dream off the list to recovering health just in time to fly, we trace how gratitude can turn ordinary moments into markers you carry forward.
We dig into why travel amplifies thankfulness. New places wake up your senses—sunsets feel brighter, street food tells a story, and hotel coffee tastes better when you didn’t have to brew it. Even a simple staycation can reset your pace and remind you to be present. We talk about “double gratitude,” the way you feel thankful during a trip and then again when the memory lands, and how that echo can power real planning for what’s next. Experiences over things is more than a trend; it’s a shift that makes budgets, priorities, and calendars line up with values.
That lens inspired our new Gratitude Journal—simple prompts, open space, and intentional questions that help you reflect, dream, and plan your next adventure with clarity. We share practical ways to use it without pressure and explain why the words you choose and the people you surround yourself with can change your trajectory. Clear intentions follow: a full week somewhere warm, a first solo escape, and the courage to put yourself on your own itinerary. Gratitude isn’t just looking back; it’s a compass for where to go next.
If this conversation sparks something, grab the journal in the show notes, take five minutes to write, and map a trip future you will thank you for. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review to help more travelers find us. Where will your gratitude take you next?
Get your copy of our Gratitude Journal here:
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_00 (00:14):
Hey guys, so welcome back to Suitcase Diva's podcast
where we talk travel, life, andall the beautiful little moments
in between.
And today, you guys, we aredoing something a little bit
different, a little reflective,peaceful.
So we're coming intoThanksgiving.
And we wanted to do aThanksgiving episode.
SPEAKER_01 (00:37):
Yes.
So, and this is our Thanksgivinggratitude episode.
Okay.
And we're very excited to sharethis space with you.
You know, in this time of year,I think it's always good just to
kind of slow us down, give us achance to kind of notice all the
good things that have happenedthis year and that are in our
life.
So the people, the moments, thememories from the year, and you
(01:00):
know, in our world, all thetravel experiences that have
shaped who we are.
SPEAKER_00 (01:04):
Yeah.
Awesome.
Well, let's start what we'regrateful for this year, Jackie.
Let's start with gratitude forthe present for this year.
We're so incredibly thankful foryou guys, the listeners, our
supporters, all our guests.
We've had amazing novelists on.
We've had women-owned, we've hadair balloon operators.
I mean, we've had so much withinthe last year or two that we're
(01:28):
just so grateful for anybodythat wants to be part of our
little show.
And it continues to grow.
I'm so happy that our numbersare going up and up.
And this year we have somethinga little bit extra special for
you guys.
We're putting together a travelgratitude journal.
And that's going to help youreflect, dream, and plan for
your next adventure withintention, because that's what
(01:51):
it comes down to.
So it'll be linked in the notesbelow.
We'll have that up, we'll havethat available to you.
SPEAKER_01 (01:57):
Yeah, and I'm very excited about that.
I think it's going to be a greatopportunity for us to look back
and remember the stories thatwe've had, we've shared, the
destinations we've explored,conversations we've had this
year that have changed yourlives or opened our hearts.
Absolutely.
The different types ofconnections that we've made, and
especially with us through thepodcast, you know, the people
(02:18):
that we've met and everything.
But every download, everymessage, and every, you know,
like, hey, I listened, or thankyou for that episode.
It means so much to us, guys.
So thank you.
Thank you so very much.
We are very grateful.
So I did want to mentionsomething that I am personally
grateful for this year, talkingabout present time.
I'm definitely grateful for allthe personal growth I've had.
(02:41):
I've spent a lot of time, justme, myself, and I, kind of
getting to know me.
And through that, I was able tojoin an amazing podcast.
Don't know if you guys haveheard of it.
And I've just been supergrateful for all the
opportunities I've had, even inmy business and my wedding show
and getting that to grow.
So, yes, I have quite a bit tobe grateful for this year.
SPEAKER_00 (03:01):
Indeed.
Indeed.
And I know a lot of people aregrateful through their travels
and any little experience ortrips they took.
How no matter how big or small,I personally am grateful to be
able to cross off my amazing 10plus year bucket list trip to
Napa and Sonoma with my bestfriends from college.
(03:23):
That was that was a trip I willnever ever forget.
So many amazing memories made.
And I'm also thankful to mydoctors for getting me the
surgery, my gallbladder surgery,gallbladder removal research
surgery, resurgery.
It's just a surgery.
Dear Lord, do not let there be aresurgery.
It's already gone.
(03:43):
It's not there anymore.
No, we're not doing it again.
No, but it made me so sick.
And you remember that time wherelike I couldn't, I couldn't do
the podcast adequately.
I couldn't even eat.
I couldn't drink water.
Like, so for them to get on itand be like, we can get this
out.
And I only had a few weeks ofrecovery before I went on that
trip.
So I am just so I'm so sograteful beyond there's many
(04:06):
things I'm grateful for, butthat was a trip that I've been
planning for over a decade.
And I'm very grateful that to behealthy enough and have the
ability to go on that trip.
SPEAKER_01 (04:18):
So yes, yeah, and that's just such an amazing
thing.
And you know, travel is it justkind of invites gratitude,
right?
In the sunsets we look for, andthe meals that we're planning
for, you know, all those specialfoodie tours we might do, the
different cultures we see, andeven the people you travel with.
That's definitely a big part ofit, you know, shaping those
(04:38):
memories and having thoseexperiences.
Yeah, for sure.
Yeah, definitely have to begrateful for that.
So, again, in the perspective oftravel, because you know, we are
travel agents, so this is whatwe love to talk about.
But it definitely gives you atime just to be able to even
just step away.
So, I mean, I know for me,staycations have been a new and
(05:00):
big thing for me, just even justtaking a night or two away, just
being very grateful for theopportunity to be able to do
that, and just taking time tonotice life and be able to pay
attention to the small things.
SPEAKER_00 (05:14):
Yeah, awesome.
And so, yeah, and travel, I willsay travel forces us to be
present.
You can't help but be awareyou're in a new place, new
taste, the culture, the people.
It's like gratitude wakes you upfor the moment.
That that you get on that planeand you are headed to your
(05:35):
destination.
I'm telling you what, I havemajor gratitude at that point
because who doesn't love to beembarking on a brand new cruise,
vacation, where even road trip?
You're just so it's good to begrateful for these
opportunities, even no matterhow big or small.
You know what I'm saying?
SPEAKER_01 (05:53):
Yeah, yep, no, absolutely.
So, as a question to ourlisteners, just curious, guys,
to take a moment and askyourself what trip or moment or
experience this year are youthankful for?
Did you get to go on your bucketlist vacation?
Did you get to do a ministaycation or a road trip or
(06:13):
maybe take a day or two at yourfavorite amusement park?
Okay.
SPEAKER_00 (06:17):
Yeah, a Disney Queen, Disney Queen.
SPEAKER_01 (06:20):
I was about to say, you know, sometimes a little day
trip is just the right therapythat's needed.
I'm very grateful for that.
SPEAKER_00 (06:28):
Yeah.
And the thing about travel is itmakes you grateful twice, right?
Because you're grateful for whenyou take the actual trip, but
then you're also grateful tohave the memories that you made
on that trip.
And that's why travel is shouldalways be a part of your life.
It should always be.
And and it and I love that youget to have the gratitude twice
(06:49):
when you're there and then whenyou reflect on being there and
all the adventures you had alongthe way.
SPEAKER_01 (06:55):
Yeah.
Yeah.
And it's even going back to justtaking time to notice and think
about the small things.
You know, I know when I'm onvacation, you know, maybe at
home, I might not alwaysconsistently make my coffee
every morning or might forgetto, you know, go to the grocery
store.
But the the hotel is alwaysgoing to have a wonderful cup of
(07:16):
coffee for me.
And I'm very, very grateful forthat every morning that I can
have coffee that I didn't haveto make, and that's just there
for me, you know.
So there anything you don't haveto make yourself makes it a
little tastier and a littlesweeter.
I swear it does.
It tastes so much better.
Hotel beds just feel better, theshowers are different.
Like it's just all the littlethings all put together.
SPEAKER_00 (07:39):
Yeah.
I remember my mom used to makecoffee for us when we would come
home from high school.
And there's something about thecoffee that she made that you
can't really replicate replicatethat.
You know what I mean?
Is it and I mean maybe it's justbecause it was my mom's, but it,
you know, it maybe her secretingredient was love.
SPEAKER_01 (08:00):
That's what I always say.
It's a real ingredient, it doesmake things taste different.
I agree.
SPEAKER_00 (08:05):
It sure does.
And travel reminds us thatgratitude isn't just about the
past or being grateful isn'tjust about the past, it's a
compass to go into the futureand remind us what we want to be
grateful for next year.
So let's make that our nextsegment.
What do we want to be gratefulfor next year?
SPEAKER_01 (08:27):
Yeah, I love that.
So, you know, in thinking aboutthis, 2026 seems a little
daunting.
I can't believe we're already atthe end of 2025.
Oh my gosh, like I'm pretty sureit's actually January, like the
first week of January, and justno one told us.
But I know for next year,especially with travel, I do
(08:47):
have one big goal.
I personally want to take a fullweek of vacation, full seven
days.
Nice.
Just me.
And it's we're gonna gosomewhere tropical and warm.
So either I will be at a resortfor a week or I will be on a
beautiful cruise for a week.
So stay tuned to see where I'llbe going.
Okay.
But for you, you know, maybeyou're going on your honeymoon
(09:10):
next year, or maybe your bucketlist trip is gonna be checked
off next year, or that familyvacation you guys have been
planning forever is actuallytaking place and happening.
So, you know, next year is abrand new opportunity for all of
those fun travel experiences.
SPEAKER_00 (09:25):
Yeah, and what I will say is I just recently saw
a poll that is saying whenpeople are talking about what
they want for the hot what theywant for Christmas or what they
would love to have, it's reallyon the top of the list is travel
in personal experiences.
And that doesn't mean it has tobe an all-inclusive for a week
or a cruise or whatever.
(09:45):
It could be a weekend in Vegas,it could be like a camping trip
out in, you know, at acampground.
Just those per people aresaying, I would rather have even
an upgrade to a first-classairline ticket than like a new
luxury purse or handbag orsomething like that.
People are wanting to travel andthey want the experiences and
(10:07):
the the personal touch versus amaterial thing.
And I love that.
Well, we both love that,especially as travel agents.
So that's a good, that's a damngood sign.
SPEAKER_01 (10:17):
That absolutely is, and I totally agree with that.
And that's something that I kindof grew up with.
My family was definitely big onexperiences over gifts, so you
know, we got stuff, but forbirthdays and Christmas, yeah,
it was more we're gonna take yousomeplace or take you to
something that you would enjoyor go see this and create that
experience.
So I absolutely love that.
SPEAKER_00 (10:38):
Yeah, and maybe the other thing you could be
grateful for, I know a lot ofpeople don't focus on themselves
as much.
Usually it's about giving,especially as moms, and and I'm
I'm not meaning that to becliche, but I do think typically
most moms put everybody elsebefore themselves, but it's okay
to do something for you, and Iwould encourage all of you to
(11:00):
put that into your 2026intentions to do something for
you.
For me, going into 2026, I wouldlike to do some kind of solo
trip like you.
I I it would be outside of mywheelhouse and it would be a
challenge to me outside of mycomfort zone because I like to
be the passenger princess.
(11:21):
But I bought this Go Wild Pass,and so I really want to get on a
plane by myself and go somewhereand do something by myself, and
so that is gonna be one of myintentions of 2026 is to no
matter where I go or how big orsmall the trip, I'm gonna be out
there navigating on my own outin the real world.
SPEAKER_01 (11:43):
I love that, and I can promise you with that, Pat,
you'll be very grateful for thepricing.
So we'll just throw that inthere.
SPEAKER_00 (11:51):
Okay, awesome, awesome.
SPEAKER_01 (11:53):
Yeah, so and you know, guys, gratitude grows when
intention grows, okay?
Yeah, intention can begin withthe imagination of what you want
your future self to thank youfor, right?
What do you want in a year to beable to say, wow, I'm so proud
of myself for, or I want tothank myself for taking the time
to, you know, what do we want tobe able to say to ourselves?
(12:16):
And that's kind of where itbegins.
SPEAKER_00 (12:18):
Yeah, and that is absolutely why Jackie and I came
up with this travel gratitudejournal, because I think that is
gonna help you all decide like,what am I grateful for today?
But yet bringing us into 2026,what do I want to be grateful?
Because I will tell you, I, youknow, having gratitude in your
life and part of the journal isyou know, the three things per
(12:40):
day or whatever.
It doesn't have to be every day,but what are the three things
you hear?
All the self, you know, coachesout there being like, gratitude
is everything.
Like a list, three things you'regonna you're grateful for in the
morning, three things you'regrateful for at night.
If you can't make that listevery day, I know it's busy, the
days all running together, andbut just putting gratitude in
(13:03):
your life and intentionallyputting gratitude in your life
will change your life.
Because if you surround yourselfwith people that are negative,
that do not have gratitude, thenI will tell you, I've been
around that situation and it'smiserable.
If you include gratitude in yourlife, positive things are gonna
start happening.
(13:24):
If you surround yourself withlike-minded people that have
gratitude in your life, thingsare going to shift and you will
have positive things happen.
You will have a kind ofself-esteem and happiness that
you're like, where did this comefrom?
How am I feeling this?
Um, so I would have to sayintentional gratitude in your
life will change your life.
(13:45):
And surrounding yourself withpeople that also share that same
concept of intentional gratitudedaily is going to make a
positive impact in your life.
So think about who you'resurrounding yourself with now.
Just as just take a practice apause and just think who am I
surrounding myself with everyday?
Are these people positive?
(14:05):
Are they lifting me up andcongratulating me or giving me
or you know, give put filling mycup?
Or are these people making digsor not noticing your
accomplishments or trying toovershadow what you've done for
yourself for growth?
That's what you need to do.
Just take a moment and think ifthese if this is the type of
(14:28):
people I'm hanging around, maybeI need to let some of them go.
Maybe I need to focus myattention and my energy into
leaning into more positivepeople and more grateful people
that show gratitude because thatwill absolutely I am a proven
fact of if you surround yourselfwith positivity and grateful
(14:49):
people, it will improve yourlife significantly.
Don't you think that canabsolutely ring true?
SPEAKER_01 (14:55):
Oh, yeah, no, I absolutely agree.
And you know, I always heard thephrase, you know, you are who
you hang around or you are whoyou associate with.
So, you know, just always becautious of that.
And it's so true what you'retalking about, even just
positive words.
Positive, I know everyone'slike, oh, we do affirmations and
everything, but writing down andbeing intentional about what you
(15:16):
are thankful for, what you'regrateful for in your life, and
putting that positivity in theredoes make a huge difference.
And it's funny, it made me umthink of this one study I saw,
and actually, I believe it wasactually at the travel
convention last year, where theytalked about how you know
positivity really does affectus.
And it's a study where they talkto rice every day.
(15:38):
They take a cup of rice and theytake one cup and they say all
these negative things to it, andthen they take another cup and
say all these positive things toit.
And the negative rice withinlike a week or so just starts
growing mold for no other reasonthan you are saying negative
things, putting that negativityout there does affect you.
So imagine what it does to us aspeople in our minds.
(15:58):
So keeping that positivity,keeping that gratitude is
definitely going to belife-changing, as Denise said.
And with that, again, talkingabout the suitcase Divas travel
gratitude journal.
Yeah, as she said, it's gonna bejust a simple way for you guys
to be able to reflect, you know,daily when you have a quick
minute.
Yeah.
Again, we totally understandeveryone has busy lives, so we
(16:20):
tried to keep it super simple,no hard questions, I promise.
Okay, but just somewhere for youguys to be able to have a space
just to take that time and bringthat positivity into your life.
SPEAKER_00 (16:32):
Yeah, I agree.
So, so we will be giving you thegratitude journal.
There's definitely we havespecific prompts in there for
you, but there's also space inthe back of the journal where
you can write your own promptsor you can just reflect on what
you're going through.
But just an example of some ofthe prompts are like what travel
experience this year changed me,and even what small way, what
(16:55):
fear do I want to leave behindbefore my next adventure?
Because we've all been travelingand come realize something like,
oh, I didn't know that was ahang up, or I didn't know that
this was a thing for me.
So, or like, what do I wantfuture me to thank present me
for?
I I look back, I look forward togoing to 2026 and looking back
(17:19):
and being like, thank you forsetting these intentions, and
and I've achieved this.
So all of these things are justwe we're putting this journal
out because we both haverealized that having a journal,
writing stuff down, beingintentional, having gratitude
has made a world of differencefor us this year.
It really has changed our lives,and we would love to change your
(17:42):
lives too by having youexperience that same type of
positive effect.
So that's why we are puttingthis journal out for you guys
this year.
SPEAKER_01 (17:52):
Yeah, yeah, and I love that.
And I know this was kind ofmentioned before, but you know,
we want you guys to think of itas kind of like a compass.
You know, we love to talktravel, but guiding you to the
experiences that are going tobring you joy and connection and
adventure and maybe even peaceand relaxation.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (18:11):
Absolutely.
So as we head into thisThanksgiving holiday, we hope
you do take a moment to breathe.
Maybe practice the pause.
I don't know how many of you arespending time with family.
You might you might need to justtake a pause and then just be
present in the moment thatyou're in.
(18:31):
I mean, maybe you're travelingsomewhere that there's snow and
you don't get to see snow.
Just be grateful that you gotthat experience.
I hope you get out on Sunday ifyou need to get out on Sunday.
Yes.
But that could be an experiencein the airport too.
Maybe you meet your new bestfriend there.
You just always have to belooking for the good because you
guys, there is good everywhereif you're looking for it.
(18:53):
I mean, yeah, you can find goodand positivity anyway.
You just gotta kind of find thatsilver lining and and kind of
spin it the right way.
Because what good is it to be aGrinch?
Nothing good is gonna come outof that.
You just gotta you gotta keepthe positivity flowing.
SPEAKER_01 (19:12):
I agree, right?
You gotta keep it up, you gottakeep dreaming, keep planning,
keep pushing for it, and mostimportantly, give yourself
permission.
Okay, I know Denise mentioned,you know, there are probably
some moms listening to this andjust busy entrepreneurs or busy
people, and sometimes we getcaught up in that.
But don't forget that you canallow yourself to take that
(19:33):
moment, take that weekend, takethat week, and to do something
for you and to you know fulfillyour dreams.
SPEAKER_00 (19:40):
Yeah, absolutely.
So, from our suitcase family,diva's family to yours, we just
want you to be, we're justthankful for you.
We're thankful for all you guys.
We hope that you have a lovelyholiday and that the gratitude
journal.
I hope you guys all find it.
I hope you print it out, and Ihope you use it because it will
change your life for sure.
SPEAKER_01 (20:02):
Absolutely, yes.
We are very grateful for youguys, not just this month or
tomorrow, but every month.
Okay, so happy Thanksgiving,divas.
I hope you guys all have awonderful, wonderful holiday.
SPEAKER_00 (20:15):
Yes, and thank you for being part of our journey.
Have a great holiday, guys.
Bye, guys.
Hey guys, so welcome back to Suitcase Diva's podcast
where we talk travel, life, andall the beautiful little moments
in between.
And today, you guys, we aredoing something a little bit
different, a little reflective,peaceful.
So we're coming intoThanksgiving.
And we wanted to do aThanksgiving episode.
SPEAKER_01 (00:37):
Yes.
So, and this is our Thanksgivinggratitude episode.
Okay.
And we're very excited to sharethis space with you.
You know, in this time of year,I think it's always good just to
kind of slow us down, give us achance to kind of notice all the
good things that have happenedthis year and that are in our
life.
So the people, the moments, thememories from the year, and you
(01:00):
know, in our world, all thetravel experiences that have
shaped who we are.
SPEAKER_00 (01:04):
Yeah.
Awesome.
Well, let's start what we'regrateful for this year, Jackie.
Let's start with gratitude forthe present for this year.
We're so incredibly thankful foryou guys, the listeners, our
supporters, all our guests.
We've had amazing novelists on.
We've had women-owned, we've hadair balloon operators.
I mean, we've had so much withinthe last year or two that we're
(01:28):
just so grateful for anybodythat wants to be part of our
little show.
And it continues to grow.
I'm so happy that our numbersare going up and up.
And this year we have somethinga little bit extra special for
you guys.
We're putting together a travelgratitude journal.
And that's going to help youreflect, dream, and plan for
your next adventure withintention, because that's what
(01:51):
it comes down to.
So it'll be linked in the notesbelow.
We'll have that up, we'll havethat available to you.
SPEAKER_01 (01:57):
Yeah, and I'm very excited about that.
I think it's going to be a greatopportunity for us to look back
and remember the stories thatwe've had, we've shared, the
destinations we've explored,conversations we've had this
year that have changed yourlives or opened our hearts.
Absolutely.
The different types ofconnections that we've made, and
especially with us through thepodcast, you know, the people
(02:18):
that we've met and everything.
But every download, everymessage, and every, you know,
like, hey, I listened, or thankyou for that episode.
It means so much to us, guys.
So thank you.
Thank you so very much.
We are very grateful.
So I did want to mentionsomething that I am personally
grateful for this year, talkingabout present time.
I'm definitely grateful for allthe personal growth I've had.
(02:41):
I've spent a lot of time, justme, myself, and I, kind of
getting to know me.
And through that, I was able tojoin an amazing podcast.
Don't know if you guys haveheard of it.
And I've just been supergrateful for all the
opportunities I've had, even inmy business and my wedding show
and getting that to grow.
So, yes, I have quite a bit tobe grateful for this year.
SPEAKER_00 (03:01):
Indeed.
Indeed.
And I know a lot of people aregrateful through their travels
and any little experience ortrips they took.
How no matter how big or small,I personally am grateful to be
able to cross off my amazing 10plus year bucket list trip to
Napa and Sonoma with my bestfriends from college.
(03:23):
That was that was a trip I willnever ever forget.
So many amazing memories made.
And I'm also thankful to mydoctors for getting me the
surgery, my gallbladder surgery,gallbladder removal research
surgery, resurgery.
It's just a surgery.
Dear Lord, do not let there be aresurgery.
It's already gone.
(03:43):
It's not there anymore.
No, we're not doing it again.
No, but it made me so sick.
And you remember that time wherelike I couldn't, I couldn't do
the podcast adequately.
I couldn't even eat.
I couldn't drink water.
Like, so for them to get on itand be like, we can get this
out.
And I only had a few weeks ofrecovery before I went on that
trip.
So I am just so I'm so sograteful beyond there's many
(04:06):
things I'm grateful for, butthat was a trip that I've been
planning for over a decade.
And I'm very grateful that to behealthy enough and have the
ability to go on that trip.
SPEAKER_01 (04:18):
So yes, yeah, and that's just such an amazing
thing.
And you know, travel is it justkind of invites gratitude,
right?
In the sunsets we look for, andthe meals that we're planning
for, you know, all those specialfoodie tours we might do, the
different cultures we see, andeven the people you travel with.
That's definitely a big part ofit, you know, shaping those
(04:38):
memories and having thoseexperiences.
Yeah, for sure.
Yeah, definitely have to begrateful for that.
So, again, in the perspective oftravel, because you know, we are
travel agents, so this is whatwe love to talk about.
But it definitely gives you atime just to be able to even
just step away.
So, I mean, I know for me,staycations have been a new and
(05:00):
big thing for me, just even justtaking a night or two away, just
being very grateful for theopportunity to be able to do
that, and just taking time tonotice life and be able to pay
attention to the small things.
SPEAKER_00 (05:14):
Yeah, awesome.
And so, yeah, and travel, I willsay travel forces us to be
present.
You can't help but be awareyou're in a new place, new
taste, the culture, the people.
It's like gratitude wakes you upfor the moment.
That that you get on that planeand you are headed to your
(05:35):
destination.
I'm telling you what, I havemajor gratitude at that point
because who doesn't love to beembarking on a brand new cruise,
vacation, where even road trip?
You're just so it's good to begrateful for these
opportunities, even no matterhow big or small.
You know what I'm saying?
SPEAKER_01 (05:53):
Yeah, yep, no, absolutely.
So, as a question to ourlisteners, just curious, guys,
to take a moment and askyourself what trip or moment or
experience this year are youthankful for?
Did you get to go on your bucketlist vacation?
Did you get to do a ministaycation or a road trip or
(06:13):
maybe take a day or two at yourfavorite amusement park?
Okay.
SPEAKER_00 (06:17):
Yeah, a Disney Queen, Disney Queen.
SPEAKER_01 (06:20):
I was about to say, you know, sometimes a little day
trip is just the right therapythat's needed.
I'm very grateful for that.
SPEAKER_00 (06:28):
Yeah.
And the thing about travel is itmakes you grateful twice, right?
Because you're grateful for whenyou take the actual trip, but
then you're also grateful tohave the memories that you made
on that trip.
And that's why travel is shouldalways be a part of your life.
It should always be.
And and it and I love that youget to have the gratitude twice
(06:49):
when you're there and then whenyou reflect on being there and
all the adventures you had alongthe way.
SPEAKER_01 (06:55):
Yeah.
Yeah.
And it's even going back to justtaking time to notice and think
about the small things.
You know, I know when I'm onvacation, you know, maybe at
home, I might not alwaysconsistently make my coffee
every morning or might forgetto, you know, go to the grocery
store.
But the the hotel is alwaysgoing to have a wonderful cup of
(07:16):
coffee for me.
And I'm very, very grateful forthat every morning that I can
have coffee that I didn't haveto make, and that's just there
for me, you know.
So there anything you don't haveto make yourself makes it a
little tastier and a littlesweeter.
I swear it does.
It tastes so much better.
Hotel beds just feel better, theshowers are different.
Like it's just all the littlethings all put together.
SPEAKER_00 (07:39):
Yeah.
I remember my mom used to makecoffee for us when we would come
home from high school.
And there's something about thecoffee that she made that you
can't really replicate replicatethat.
You know what I mean?
Is it and I mean maybe it's justbecause it was my mom's, but it,
you know, it maybe her secretingredient was love.
SPEAKER_01 (08:00):
That's what I always say.
It's a real ingredient, it doesmake things taste different.
I agree.
SPEAKER_00 (08:05):
It sure does.
And travel reminds us thatgratitude isn't just about the
past or being grateful isn'tjust about the past, it's a
compass to go into the futureand remind us what we want to be
grateful for next year.
So let's make that our nextsegment.
What do we want to be gratefulfor next year?
SPEAKER_01 (08:27):
Yeah, I love that.
So, you know, in thinking aboutthis, 2026 seems a little
daunting.
I can't believe we're already atthe end of 2025.
Oh my gosh, like I'm pretty sureit's actually January, like the
first week of January, and justno one told us.
But I know for next year,especially with travel, I do
(08:47):
have one big goal.
I personally want to take a fullweek of vacation, full seven
days.
Nice.
Just me.
And it's we're gonna gosomewhere tropical and warm.
So either I will be at a resortfor a week or I will be on a
beautiful cruise for a week.
So stay tuned to see where I'llbe going.
Okay.
But for you, you know, maybeyou're going on your honeymoon
(09:10):
next year, or maybe your bucketlist trip is gonna be checked
off next year, or that familyvacation you guys have been
planning forever is actuallytaking place and happening.
So, you know, next year is abrand new opportunity for all of
those fun travel experiences.
SPEAKER_00 (09:25):
Yeah, and what I will say is I just recently saw
a poll that is saying whenpeople are talking about what
they want for the hot what theywant for Christmas or what they
would love to have, it's reallyon the top of the list is travel
in personal experiences.
And that doesn't mean it has tobe an all-inclusive for a week
or a cruise or whatever.
(09:45):
It could be a weekend in Vegas,it could be like a camping trip
out in, you know, at acampground.
Just those per people aresaying, I would rather have even
an upgrade to a first-classairline ticket than like a new
luxury purse or handbag orsomething like that.
People are wanting to travel andthey want the experiences and
(10:07):
the the personal touch versus amaterial thing.
And I love that.
Well, we both love that,especially as travel agents.
So that's a good, that's a damngood sign.
SPEAKER_01 (10:17):
That absolutely is, and I totally agree with that.
And that's something that I kindof grew up with.
My family was definitely big onexperiences over gifts, so you
know, we got stuff, but forbirthdays and Christmas, yeah,
it was more we're gonna take yousomeplace or take you to
something that you would enjoyor go see this and create that
experience.
So I absolutely love that.
SPEAKER_00 (10:38):
Yeah, and maybe the other thing you could be
grateful for, I know a lot ofpeople don't focus on themselves
as much.
Usually it's about giving,especially as moms, and and I'm
I'm not meaning that to becliche, but I do think typically
most moms put everybody elsebefore themselves, but it's okay
to do something for you, and Iwould encourage all of you to
(11:00):
put that into your 2026intentions to do something for
you.
For me, going into 2026, I wouldlike to do some kind of solo
trip like you.
I I it would be outside of mywheelhouse and it would be a
challenge to me outside of mycomfort zone because I like to
be the passenger princess.
(11:21):
But I bought this Go Wild Pass,and so I really want to get on a
plane by myself and go somewhereand do something by myself, and
so that is gonna be one of myintentions of 2026 is to no
matter where I go or how big orsmall the trip, I'm gonna be out
there navigating on my own outin the real world.
SPEAKER_01 (11:43):
I love that, and I can promise you with that, Pat,
you'll be very grateful for thepricing.
So we'll just throw that inthere.
SPEAKER_00 (11:51):
Okay, awesome, awesome.
SPEAKER_01 (11:53):
Yeah, so and you know, guys, gratitude grows when
intention grows, okay?
Yeah, intention can begin withthe imagination of what you want
your future self to thank youfor, right?
What do you want in a year to beable to say, wow, I'm so proud
of myself for, or I want tothank myself for taking the time
to, you know, what do we want tobe able to say to ourselves?
(12:16):
And that's kind of where itbegins.
SPEAKER_00 (12:18):
Yeah, and that is absolutely why Jackie and I came
up with this travel gratitudejournal, because I think that is
gonna help you all decide like,what am I grateful for today?
But yet bringing us into 2026,what do I want to be grateful?
Because I will tell you, I, youknow, having gratitude in your
life and part of the journal isyou know, the three things per
(12:40):
day or whatever.
It doesn't have to be every day,but what are the three things
you hear?
All the self, you know, coachesout there being like, gratitude
is everything.
Like a list, three things you'regonna you're grateful for in the
morning, three things you'regrateful for at night.
If you can't make that listevery day, I know it's busy, the
days all running together, andbut just putting gratitude in
(13:03):
your life and intentionallyputting gratitude in your life
will change your life.
Because if you surround yourselfwith people that are negative,
that do not have gratitude, thenI will tell you, I've been
around that situation and it'smiserable.
If you include gratitude in yourlife, positive things are gonna
start happening.
(13:24):
If you surround yourself withlike-minded people that have
gratitude in your life, thingsare going to shift and you will
have positive things happen.
You will have a kind ofself-esteem and happiness that
you're like, where did this comefrom?
How am I feeling this?
Um, so I would have to sayintentional gratitude in your
life will change your life.
(13:45):
And surrounding yourself withpeople that also share that same
concept of intentional gratitudedaily is going to make a
positive impact in your life.
So think about who you'resurrounding yourself with now.
Just as just take a practice apause and just think who am I
surrounding myself with everyday?
Are these people positive?
(14:05):
Are they lifting me up andcongratulating me or giving me
or you know, give put filling mycup?
Or are these people making digsor not noticing your
accomplishments or trying toovershadow what you've done for
yourself for growth?
That's what you need to do.
Just take a moment and think ifthese if this is the type of
(14:28):
people I'm hanging around, maybeI need to let some of them go.
Maybe I need to focus myattention and my energy into
leaning into more positivepeople and more grateful people
that show gratitude because thatwill absolutely I am a proven
fact of if you surround yourselfwith positivity and grateful
(14:49):
people, it will improve yourlife significantly.
Don't you think that canabsolutely ring true?
SPEAKER_01 (14:55):
Oh, yeah, no, I absolutely agree.
And you know, I always heard thephrase, you know, you are who
you hang around or you are whoyou associate with.
So, you know, just always becautious of that.
And it's so true what you'retalking about, even just
positive words.
Positive, I know everyone'slike, oh, we do affirmations and
everything, but writing down andbeing intentional about what you
(15:16):
are thankful for, what you'regrateful for in your life, and
putting that positivity in theredoes make a huge difference.
And it's funny, it made me umthink of this one study I saw,
and actually, I believe it wasactually at the travel
convention last year, where theytalked about how you know
positivity really does affectus.
And it's a study where they talkto rice every day.
(15:38):
They take a cup of rice and theytake one cup and they say all
these negative things to it, andthen they take another cup and
say all these positive things toit.
And the negative rice withinlike a week or so just starts
growing mold for no other reasonthan you are saying negative
things, putting that negativityout there does affect you.
So imagine what it does to us aspeople in our minds.
(15:58):
So keeping that positivity,keeping that gratitude is
definitely going to belife-changing, as Denise said.
And with that, again, talkingabout the suitcase Divas travel
gratitude journal.
Yeah, as she said, it's gonna bejust a simple way for you guys
to be able to reflect, you know,daily when you have a quick
minute.
Yeah.
Again, we totally understandeveryone has busy lives, so we
(16:20):
tried to keep it super simple,no hard questions, I promise.
Okay, but just somewhere for youguys to be able to have a space
just to take that time and bringthat positivity into your life.
SPEAKER_00 (16:32):
Yeah, I agree.
So, so we will be giving you thegratitude journal.
There's definitely we havespecific prompts in there for
you, but there's also space inthe back of the journal where
you can write your own promptsor you can just reflect on what
you're going through.
But just an example of some ofthe prompts are like what travel
experience this year changed me,and even what small way, what
(16:55):
fear do I want to leave behindbefore my next adventure?
Because we've all been travelingand come realize something like,
oh, I didn't know that was ahang up, or I didn't know that
this was a thing for me.
So, or like, what do I wantfuture me to thank present me
for?
I I look back, I look forward togoing to 2026 and looking back
(17:19):
and being like, thank you forsetting these intentions, and
and I've achieved this.
So all of these things are justwe we're putting this journal
out because we both haverealized that having a journal,
writing stuff down, beingintentional, having gratitude
has made a world of differencefor us this year.
It really has changed our lives,and we would love to change your
(17:42):
lives too by having youexperience that same type of
positive effect.
So that's why we are puttingthis journal out for you guys
this year.
SPEAKER_01 (17:52):
Yeah, yeah, and I love that.
And I know this was kind ofmentioned before, but you know,
we want you guys to think of itas kind of like a compass.
You know, we love to talktravel, but guiding you to the
experiences that are going tobring you joy and connection and
adventure and maybe even peaceand relaxation.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (18:11):
Absolutely.
So as we head into thisThanksgiving holiday, we hope
you do take a moment to breathe.
Maybe practice the pause.
I don't know how many of you arespending time with family.
You might you might need to justtake a pause and then just be
present in the moment thatyou're in.
(18:31):
I mean, maybe you're travelingsomewhere that there's snow and
you don't get to see snow.
Just be grateful that you gotthat experience.
I hope you get out on Sunday ifyou need to get out on Sunday.
Yes.
But that could be an experiencein the airport too.
Maybe you meet your new bestfriend there.
You just always have to belooking for the good because you
guys, there is good everywhereif you're looking for it.
(18:53):
I mean, yeah, you can find goodand positivity anyway.
You just gotta kind of find thatsilver lining and and kind of
spin it the right way.
Because what good is it to be aGrinch?
Nothing good is gonna come outof that.
You just gotta you gotta keepthe positivity flowing.
SPEAKER_01 (19:12):
I agree, right?
You gotta keep it up, you gottakeep dreaming, keep planning,
keep pushing for it, and mostimportantly, give yourself
permission.
Okay, I know Denise mentioned,you know, there are probably
some moms listening to this andjust busy entrepreneurs or busy
people, and sometimes we getcaught up in that.
But don't forget that you canallow yourself to take that
(19:33):
moment, take that weekend, takethat week, and to do something
for you and to you know fulfillyour dreams.
SPEAKER_00 (19:40):
Yeah, absolutely.
So, from our suitcase family,diva's family to yours, we just
want you to be, we're justthankful for you.
We're thankful for all you guys.
We hope that you have a lovelyholiday and that the gratitude
journal.
I hope you guys all find it.
I hope you print it out, and Ihope you use it because it will
change your life for sure.
SPEAKER_01 (20:02):
Absolutely, yes.
We are very grateful for youguys, not just this month or
tomorrow, but every month.
Okay, so happy Thanksgiving,divas.
I hope you guys all have awonderful, wonderful holiday.
SPEAKER_00 (20:15):
Yes, and thank you for being part of our journey.
Have a great holiday, guys.
Bye, guys.
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