From Cuba, With Love.

From Cuba With Love …

‘We’re stranded. Please send money!’ :O

That was the email I envisioned having to send when our Saturday flight home from Cuba was cancelled, due to weather. Direct flights on Jet Blue Cuba to Boston only run once a week. Worse was the fact we were nearly out of cash and U.S. ATMs and credit cards cannot be used in Cuba.

Stranded in Cuba. What do you do? Cuba is not a bad place to be stuck, but without a cell phone or computer (off the grid on purpose), it was not easy to book a flight. And no extra cash to stay longer. e scrambled to find an alternate flight to Florida. At least if we could get to Florida, ATMs, credit cards, a hotel computer and phone would be available.

Serenity Now. The Serenity Prayer, self-reiki, meditation, came in handy to help decrease any stress response in this situation. Nothing much was in our control, except our thoughts and perception of the situation.

The ‘Kindness of Strangers.’ (Now friends!) People we met on the trip with family in the U.S. helped book and pay for our international flight to Florida. Thank you Caran and Morgan!!! ❤

Think Positive and Make the Best of Every Situation. Things could be worse! We could have have been routed further north with no winter clothes, to Newark where it was only 12º ! Florida was in the midst of a windy, cold snap, making the beach off limits for a couple of days. Through the Kindness of Strangers (now friends!) we were invited to a party to watch the Pat’s Win!! in the comfort of a home, with really nice people. Thank You Stella and Sean!!! ❤

Homeward Bound, I Wish I Was. Finally, due to fly home 4 days later, Tampa to Newark to Boston, our flight is DELAYED again due to more weather issues around the country. After a short delay and a relaxing chair massage at the airport, we take off to Newark Liberty airport and one step closer to home! Maybe ….

Delays, Drones and Diversions. Just as we thought we’d finally make it home, drones closed down Newark’s Liberty Airport. DIVERTED to D.C. for fuel. RE-ROUTED back to Newark. Landed at Newark. MORE DELAYS. Waited for new refreshed pilots. More delays. Finally! 3 hours and ONE DAY LATER, we take off again, homeward bound!

HOME AT LAST! Arriving 5 days late, sleep deprived, a bit weary and sick, but with wonderful memories of Cuba, the people we met, friends we made, and VERY GRATEFUL for the Kindness of ‘Strangers.’

‘Calm in Any Storm.’ Much of the body and mind’s negative responses to stress can be controlled through our thoughts, reframed perceptions, and learning relaxation techniques. Learning to maintain emotional and physical calm is a skill that can be learned through cognitive behavior therapy (CBD), meditation, self-reiki, self-hypnosis and other integrative healthcare practices. Practiced over time, these

tools can be helpful for quickly getting to that place of ‘calm in this moment.’

~ Karen Pischke

Contact me for more information on how you can learn to reduce stress and maintain calm. Call: 978-283-4258 or Email: info@dreamtimewellness.com.

*Dreamtime Wellness Photography for meditation and inspiration is available for sale in various sizes, framed or unframed.

More Cuba to follow. 😎 🎼 Follow me on FB for more photos.

Karen Pischke BSN, RN, Alumnus CCRN, Author, Speaker, Nurse Researcher, Photographer. Certified Hypnotherapist, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Usui Reiki Teacher/Komyo Shihan. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness LLC. Your Bridge to Health. Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit. Karen is a registered nurse with a background in critical care nursing, cardiac rehabilitation, cardiac risk factor reduction, wellness and integrative healthcare. Incorporating a collaborative, integrative approach, Karen strives to educate, advocate for, and empower you in your healthcare goals. Providing evidence-based integrative healthcare services and self-care tools that are safe as well as effective at improving overall health, happiness and wellbeing. www.DreamtimeWellness.com. Find us on Instagram and Facebook

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussion about health and related subjects. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately licensed physician or other health care worker. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. The views expressed on this blog and website have no relation to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other institution with which the authors are affiliated.