They told me it couldn’t be done. They said, at age 54, with no portfolio or clips of previously published work, I couldn’t possibly break into travel writing. Fortunately, I am not the kind of person to whom you can say “can’t,” because I will do it just to prove you wrong. It’s been five long, glorious years getting here but today I proved them all wrong. Today, I realized just how much of a favor all those naysayers did for me. Because today I was featured on ABC News.
When I was in Washington, DC last week covering the Dalai Lama during his Kalachakra for World Peace, I met a producer from ABC. He loved my personal story and had me into the studio for an on-camera interview. He thought it would probably only go on their website, but apparently it was on the morning news today, as well as being plastered all over the ABC and Washington News Network websites. Read the story here: Living the Dream and Filling the ‘Hole in the Donut’
Or view the video here (there’s a brief commercial at the beginning):
Thank you, Tom Giusto and ABC. For helping to make my dream come true.
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Congrats! Well-deserved honor! What an inspiration.
That’s so neat Barbara!!
I’m thrilled for you. I know you love your life, but there is satisfaction in being able to really prove to the pessimists that you were right! You also love absolutely radiant and your happiness is palpable! Congratulations!
Wow. Congratulations, what an achievement!
Thank you all SO much! It’s been a tough go at times, but recognition like
this makes it all worthwhile. I was thinking the other day how I still work
70-80 hours a week at this job, but the difference is that I now love what I
do. And I can’t ask for anything more than that.
Congratulations! It’s so great to hear of someone doing what they love and being successful; however a person defines success. Funny you mention (in the comments here) about how much you are working now – people think that ‘quiting your job’ and traveling is all play and no work – I don’t expect to never work again, I just want to do different work where I’m in control. You are a definite role model. Thank you.
Hi Gillian: Thanks for my laugh for the day. You are so right that this life
is not all play. I spend my days touring, interviewing people, seeing sites,
etc. Nights are the only time I have to download the 200+ photos I take each
day, catalog them, back them up, oversee my social mdia obligations, manage
my advertising and the technical issues associated with my blog, etc. And
that’s before i write the first word! I average maybe five hours of sleep
per night. It’s a tough life sometimes, but I do love it, and that’s all
that matters.
Congratulations Barbara! I’ve always been reading your site from RSS feeds, so today is the first time I realised you were above 50! Your energy is inspiring and the love of travel really does transcend ages. Much love from a girl who wants to one day become a travel writer and photographer too.
Absolutely thrilled for you – and it’s a huge boost to all of us who’ve heard those kinds of comments. Three cheers!
Mark and I are back in England for a few weeks and we’ve just watched your ABC video. How lovely for you to be featured and be able to express your life and work philosophy so eloquently, Barbara. I hope your segment, short though it was, inspires MORE people from the USA to get out, travel the world, and relinquish the idea that everyone is out to ‘get them’ as soon as they leave the geographic boundaries of the country. Well done!
That is so awesome!!! I am so happy for you and what an inspiration for anyone working hard for their dreams especially when they are faced with people telling them they can’t do it. Good for you. What a feeling!
I’m also a 50-something changing careers…right now I’m in an intense master’s program with mainly younger students. Whew! It surely is stretching my mind!
I’m so happy that ABC interviewed you — should make your blog even MORE popular!
Barbara – That is wonderful news. I watched the interview. It is easy to see why they put it on the tele. Well done.
You should travel to GUAM U.S.A.
Wow! What a great piece, I am so lucky to have met you. You look great by the way. Traveling agrees with you. You look radiant and happy. Love, Rose
You make a key point there. The naysayers do have a place. They get us annoyed. So annoyed we make a point of ignoring them, in a very motivated and public way. And that’s one hell of a message to send the world.
You rock, lady.
Wonderful to see you! Great piece on ABC News. They were lucky to meet you.
Thank you all SO much for your support and comments. I do feel a bit like a
rock star at the moment
That’s fantastic Barbara – really pleased for you and well deserved praise
Amazing interview! YOU are a force for good in the world! Keep going! -Laura Lee
Awesome! I really enjoyed this. I’m sure this will inspire more people to follow their own path and really live life on their own terms. I know that you’ve been an inspiration for me. Thanks for proving all those naysayers wrong.
Barbara — Wonderful post and video. You’re an inspiration to me and I’m sure to many others. Strikes me you should meet a friend of mine and fellow blogger, a woman who seems your kindred spirit — I’ll steer her to your site if she’s not already aware of it.
I got teary-eyed reading this =’) Like you, I am the person that won’t take a “no” for answer and will just keep trying and trying when my heart burns for something. Because imo, if it burns deep within you, it is for a reason. Yay! =) my dream is to publish my own Lonely Planet or similar travel guide and/or have my own TV show at Travel Channel, Discovery, or NatGeo. We shall see!
Keep on dreamin’ (and travelin’) <3
I have tears in my eyes, this is so inspiring and incredible!!!
Congrats on “filling the hole in your donut”. A wonderful piece by the ABC with excellent insights. Well done.
I am so proud of you Barbara! Congratulations!! Looking forward to seeing you soon. Carla
It’s wonderful to see you and hear you after reading your blog for many months. You inspire me!
Though I may be comment #209, just wanted to say congrats and you are an inspiration for me!
Barbara, this is really inspiring! Congratulations
Awesome Barbara.
I enjoyed watching that video and congratulations! Keep doing what you love to do, your passion really shines through!
How wonderful! Congratulations to you. I’m doing a version of the same thing, but from one location. I’m an American living in Europe with my Aussie hubby and traveling the world when I can.
Congrats Barbara..A true inspiration for all the travel writers out there..What an amazing achievement at this age..Keep up the good work!
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