By Caz // December 4, 2012 // 58 Comments

I Cried Into My Whiskey in Thanks to the Remarkable Dream

We’ve been saving up the bottle of Jack Daniels since 2005 when we visited the Tennessee distillery on our USA summer road trip.

We were lucky to even get a bottle.

The Jack Daniels’ distillery is in a dry county so they cannot sell bottles of alcohol. We couldn’t even have a taste test; after sampling the smell test the fire in my belly spoke of satisfaction.

The distillery had cleverly gotten around the No selling rule by making a commemorative bottle with a special label. Apparently selling special bottles is okay.

our commemorative bottle

It would have been rude for us not to honour that sneakery.

Taking the whiskey to freedom

We decided to keep the bourbon for the moment we could celebrate the arrival of our dream life.

We had a semi-free travel life for many years, but it was travel tied to work visas and jobs. We wanted to travel on our own terms: when, where, why, how. We craved the freedom to choose.

We had no idea how we could ever fund this nomadic lifestyle, nor had any business acumen to make it a reality. But it didn’t stop us from dreaming our remarkable dream.

It was a dream chased by two people who did not understand what their strengths were, nor have enough self-belief to know that, if they just spend their days doing what they loved, what they wanted would eventually come to them.

We were scared, insecure and unsure.

We thought we had to chase the money to get the dream, when really we just had to act upon the dream each day with small steps.

The date above will tell you we chased the money for too long.

I often have to fight to hold my head up and let go of the angst and shame created by the mistakes and the losses.

We carried our special bottle for 7 years across the world waiting to crack it, across 7 years of heartache and loss.

So excuse me right now while I cry into a whiskey that has been brewing too long. (So long if fact that whiskey has taken a back seat to gin).

One taste of that whiskey brings back the feelings of the freedom we craved and fought for.

The nights drinking out of a Thai whiskey bucket on Phi Phi Island and Raleigh Bay in Krabi on our honeymoon. The early morning Irish whiskey coffees in Ireland, the arguments with South Africa friends as to who distilled the best whiskey, and conversations about fun, freedom and dreams over a glass or two.

So yes I am crying.

Crying tears to let go of the pain. Crying tears to embrace the joy. Crying tears of gratitude.

Our lessons were so harsh. I am not sure if I will ever forgive myself; I’ll certainly never forget. But, I have to be thankful for them, for eventually bringing us to here.

The taste of freedom

We now spend precious time with our kids

Craig and I are celebrating. We are not millionaires (far far from it), we don’t currently earn income passively, in fact we earn it very actively, more actively than any job before. But each active step towards creating that income comes from the place of joy, purpose and freedom.

We are living life almost on our terms.

At least we no longer both go to a job we hate.

We know longer greet the day to a sudden wake up jolt from an alarm and the words “Oh fuck” I no longer say to the one day that will never greet me again, I wish you would go away.

I no longer return home after a challenging day at school hating the world and society.

I now love the world.

Craig and I are both now full-time on our blogs. It was a decision that was surprisingly easy to make, yet one that comes with insecurity and a little bit of fear.

I asked my body to give me the correct answer and it replied with calm. I finally know how to listen.

So far it has not let us down.

Our Remarkable dream has taken on help

We have so many projects and ideas we want to implement now from ebooks, travel guides, apps and partnerships. We want to create ways to help you bring more travel into your life. Life is sweeter when you travel more.

There are many parts to our business we don’t like nor are good at, but have to be done. Trying to manage everything ourselves is holding us back and we only have one gear here called Play full out in Forward.

We have chosen to take on help and have spent the past couple of months making a decision as to who we can work with who understands our greater vision and has the skills to help us achieve it.

We’ve also been building that relationship of trust first to make sure we are comfortable with it being the right decision. And we are.

We now have an agent.

We are proud and excited to announce that Lorraine Murphy and her team from The Remarkables Group will be handling our PR/advertising and all other partnerships.

Yes, in order for us to be the best we can we have to make an income. I’m sure you all understand that.

Lorraine is ridiculously good at the stuff we are ridiculously bad at. Lorraine is an Irish lass who has emigrated to Australia. She has experienced life on the travel road and so gets what we are all about, she is also one savy lady with a PR background who really believes in the blogging world and what we can offer.

We are also incredibly honoured to join the eleven other Aussie bloggers who make up the Remarkables team. All great and inspiring bloggers from various niches.

Nothing will really change for you except a better user experience, and more inspiration and information about travel.

We are not looking at inundating you with ads and flashing neon signs. Our ideas are bigger than that and won’t be any different to what we are doing now. And a lot of our partnerships will be away from here, creating content for other brands.

And when we do have sponsored posts or ads on this site they will be relevant and because we believe the product will help you have a better travel experience.

We are also about to relaunch our site, which will be fresher, cleaner, and more functional for you.

Thank You

So our whiskey glass is raised to you now.

To thank you. And I mean a deep, real bear hug of gratitude.

Thank you for being here with us. Thank you for reading our work. Thank you for sharing our work. Thank you for your comments, for the fun way you join in with us on our Facebook page and chat with us on twitter. Thank you for your encouraging and supportive words and your emails.

The magic of life is so real. Every time I had that strong feeling of quitting an email would arrive from a reader telling me of the difference we had made in their lives. These emails kept my car in Play full out Forward.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

Create your own Remarkable Dream

Our glass is also raised to you to let you know your dream is there because it is the life the Universe has always intended for you.

It might seem so far-fetched and you may not have a clue as to how you could ever make it a reality.

But it is real, and you can.

Don’t let it be 7 years of harsh lessons and heartache to make it a reality. Don’t let your whiskey brew that long!

Please learn from us; start making it a reality today. Follow these very simple 7 steps and you will.

  1. Believe in your dream
  2. Believe you deserve it
  3. Take action steps each day doing those things that really make your heart sing
  4. Be open to learning and making mistakes
  5. Don’t let fear drive your life
  6. Be kind to others
  7. Make it about “How can I serve?” rather than “What can I get?“

Let’s get this party started!

Anyone for some whiskey?

Tags: //
Featured//Inspiration

Caz

Caz Makepeace is the co-founder of y Travel Blog and has been traveling and living around the world since 1997, first solo, then with her husband, and now with her two daughters. Don't miss her 9 best tips to help you travel more. Follow her on Google+

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58 comments on “I Cried Into My Whiskey in Thanks to the Remarkable Dream”

  1. 365thingstodoinbright

    I’m so happy for you both! In fact all 4 of you. Your hard work and dedication deserves recognition like this. Here’s to a remarkable future xx

    Reply ↓
    1. Caz Post author

      ha ha. And thank you again Danni for our incredible new photos. Our new site will be live soon :-)

      Reply ↓
  4. Jim McIntosh

    8. Be aware of opportunities as they present, even if they mean departing from your ‘dream’. New dreams can be formulated, opportunities lost are gone forever.
    This post reminds me I have a wee bottle of real whisky reserved for my daughter’s wedding. A commemorative bottle of Clan Mackintosh.
    27 years old now.
    Jim McIntosh recently posted..Tessa’s Song. Dreams never die… lovers we miss.

    Reply ↓
    1. Caz Post author

      Thank you for sharing your wisdom Jim! We really appreciate you. We hope to one day sit with you and enjoy a whiskey together. I think your one sounds exceptionally good!

      Reply ↓
  6. fotoeins | Henry

    I basically figured out *where* I’d like to be, but now I’m in the process of finding employment. :) I’m very pleased for you and your family!

    Reply ↓
  9. Erik Smith

    Congrats, you two.

    You deserve all the success that has com your way thanks to all the hard work you’ve put in. You’ve also very important to all travel bloggers, you serve as inspiration, and the stories of your kindness in giving of your time and advice to aspiring bloggers is legendary.

    All the best on your new venture! I’m sure it will be awesome!
    Erik Smith recently posted..Reflection on 1,000 Posts

    Reply ↓
    1. Caz Post author

      Thank you Erik. Really appreciate you taking the time to say that. It’s very addictive this travel blogging thing! But there is an incredible amount of work to be done behind the scenes running a site. Safe travels!

      Reply ↓
    1. Caz Post author

      Pleasure Gaelyn! It is possible, hard work, but definitely possible. More and more doors are opening now too which is so great for everyone

      Reply ↓
  12. Britany (@britseeingstars)

    So reassuring to hear success stories from people doing exactly what I’m working towards. I can’t wait to crack open a bottle of Jameson to my success someday – although it will probably be brand new as I’m pretty terrible at saving Jameson. Congrats to your whole family for living the dream!!
    Britany (@britseeingstars) recently posted..Calling All Passionate People!!!

    Reply ↓
    1. Caz Post author

      It has been really difficult for us not to crack the JD over the years, but we were determine to save it and use it for motivation. Thank God we can finally drink it now! It was the stories of other people living their dreams that inspired me to keep moving forward the most.
      One of my mantras is “If someone else can do it why not me?”

      Reply ↓
  15. Arienne

    Congratulations Caz and Craig! You two are incredibly inspiring individuals. You guys are a testament that through hard work and perseverance, dreams are achievable. I wish only more continued success for the family in the future. Cheers!

    Reply ↓
    1. Caz Post author

      Thank you so much Arienne, that is so lovely to hear. The dreams are for real life living!

      Reply ↓
    1. Caz Post author

      Thank you so much Jenny. It has been so wonderful meeting you this past year and getting to know you more. You have so many great stories to share.

      Reply ↓
    1. Caz Post author

      Thank you so much Bron. I really appreciate your support and all you have taught me working with you over on Kidspot. Your blog and writing has been an inspiration to me as well.

      Reply ↓
    1. Caz Post author

      Thank you so much Anita! The dream is yours. Enjoy it. We so appreciate your support

      Reply ↓
  23. Brendan van Son

    Huge congrats you guys! You know I love you guys and I wish you all the best! Success is not gauged by the money in our bank account, cars in our parking lots or even stories on our blogs. Success is gauged by strength of the relationships you have made, and you guys are some of the most successful people in the world in that regard. Good luck in the future! You deserve this as much as anyone :D
    Brendan van Son recently posted..Star Photography – How to Take Photos of the Stars

    Reply ↓
    1. Caz Post author

      Thank you Brendan. That really means so much to us. We love what you do and so appreciate your support and friendship.

      Reply ↓
    1. Caz Post author

      We hope so! I think they would get along well. Imagine all the travel stories they could share

      Reply ↓
  27. Sarah

    This is a tear jerker of a story; I believe that happiness isn’t all to do with how much money is in your bank. Yes, if you have money you can have a comfortable life but it will not be a necessarily happy one. Live life to the full and celebrate when you can; a shot of whiskey would do nicely!

    Reply ↓
    1. Caz Post author

      Thank you Sarah. I think the money will only bring happiness if you are creating it through something you really love. If you are doing that you’ll be happy and content no matter what. Whisky is always great for celebration!

      Reply ↓
  28. Pablo

    Congratulations! Have been reading for a while, you guys deserve the happiness and success!

    Just introduced your blogs to my mom and it has helped motivate her to start her own serious blog to work her way out of her full time office job.

    You guys are an inspiration!
    Pablo recently posted..Casa De Olas – San Juan Del Sur

    Reply ↓
    1. Caz Post author

      That is so awesome to hear Pablo!!! Thank you so much for letting us know and pass our congrats and best wishes onto your Mum. She can do it!

      Reply ↓
    1. Caz Post author

      Thank you Ayelet!! We can’t wait for the new look either. The previews have been awesome!!

      Reply ↓

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