Joshua Harrell

Jenny Warren, from CIE Tours, joined me yesterday for Travel Quest Network’s Weekly Chatter Live! St. Patrick’s Day edition. She brought loads of gifts and I sang… a lot. I promise, no Jameson was involved. She just brings out the song in me. #StPatricksDay #WorldViaLife (at WorldVia Travel Group) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp7rgRbOfsq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Well, look who came to give me words of encouragement today. Thank you, Rebecca. (at Travel Quest Network) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnQBFMKuRsn/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

That’s a wrap for 2022. Here’s to the last Weekly Chatter Live! of the year. I cannot wait for you to see what’s in store for the show in 2023. It’s getting an upgrade. #WeeklyChatterLive (at Travel Quest Network) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmz0vq5Oyk6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Jason and I in the studio for the first time in a long time yesterday for Travel Quest Network’s Weekly Chatter Live!. He bought the hats and surprised me with giveaways. #LoveTravelLiveTravel #WeeklyChatterLive (at Travel Quest Network) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmjfrBkOs3B/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The baubles for our work tree didn’t arrive until the day of the holiday lunch. Better late than never. (at Roswell, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmeoUkuOZId/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

“You can choose to be sad or you can choose joy.” This is from a book by someone who entered my life with a backdrop of fireworks, Jodi Bainter. She wrote it about her brave son, Jake, and her family after a lawn mower accident changed their lives forever. The book is comprised of her personal and raw journal entries over the four years following the incident. I did not know this part of Jodi’s life until I ran into her last week, and she inquired about my journey. I shared how this dreadful thing called cancer connected to me to a world and a purpose that I could have never imagined for myself. She could relate, and wrote a book about it. I ordered her book from Amazon immediately. (You should too.) As I read Jodi’s book, I landed on this chapter labeled, “Choose Joy.” Now, the word “joy” has always been one of the most intriguing words in my opinion. It’s so small, but so massive at the same time. It is a thought. It is something you can experience. It is something you can give. Sometimes, I think you can even touch it. Joy fascinates me. In this chapter, Jodi talks about how one chooses their attitude. It doesn’t mean that the pain, fear, or anger goes away. It just means that you can reconfigure your response. And, by doing so, you can let light, love, and the universe in. That may change more than the way you feel. Sometimes it can change the world around you. While I have been dealing with being ill this year, and ultimately the cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment, I was surrounded by joy. However, I didn’t choose it. You guys forced that joy on me. I had a few wobbles, but there you were with words of encouragement or sending positive energy my way that caused a visceral reaction. You joyed the wobbles away. While the choice to choose joy is something that I will be more conscious of in the future, I really appreciate the fact that you didn’t give me a choice. I will never be able to truly display my gratitude. Joy. To. The. World. And buy Jodi Bainter’s book. (at Atlanta, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmXkByrtllz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Last flight of the year. I am going home to my family to love and harass them in equal amounts. (at LaGuardia International Airport NYC) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmMY4O7uOA6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Tonight was a big event in the travel industry. It was Travel Weekly’s Reader’s Choice Awards. I had been invited by Delta Vacations a long time ago, and was looking forward to it all year, especially as I was going through my cancer treatment. It may not make sense to you, but putting on some sequins and jewelry sure feels nice when you’ve been dealing with chemo and radiation and hospital visits. But, it wasn’t just getting dolled up and going out. It was seeing my friends, colleagues, and people who I just adore in my industry. I am so grateful that so many of them followed my journey to this point, and told me so when I saw them tonight. In fact, so many people shared their own journey because of it. My heart is very full tonight for so many reasons. #TWRCA (at American Museum of Natural History) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmLRcJzNsgw/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Laurie and me by one of the gazillion holiday trees in this hotel. (at The Westin New York At Times Square) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmJ75_1uaDR/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I’m living my holiday-in-NYC fantasy. (at The Westin New York At Times Square) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmJhJ5gu_R0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Just a few snaps from Travel Quest Network’s Newark Roadshow today. It was fantastic to see everyone. #TravelQuestNetworkRoadshow (at Marriott Conference Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmIXz6YNGSE/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I’m off for my last trip of the year. Tomorrow is Travel Quest Network’s last Roadshow of the year. I cannot wait. #TraveQuestNetworkRoadshow (at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmE57S6OXQt/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I’m not binge watching Netflix this weekend. #TravelQuestNetworkGetaway (at Coral Level at Iberostar Selection Bávaro) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl_Y2jDuB7K/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

After dinner fun. #TravelQuestNetworkGetaway (at Coral Level at Iberostar Selection Bávaro) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl-Nv0aN9os/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Picture it. I walk out of a restaurant and see a wall of white lights. What do I do without pause? Yes. Photo shoot. (I want it known that there was a whole group of people encouraging this behavior.) #TravelQuestNetworkGetaway (at Punta Cana, Bávaro - Dominican Republic) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl7fXjcNaoU/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

So excited to get a fade with my favorite barber, Michelle. (at Double Trouble Barbershop LLC) https://www.instagram.com/p/Clz39oDtrEG/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Hats are my new thing. I know they’re my new thing because I ordered a hat box to travel with. I’m not sure how that’s going to work. I don’t know if I’ll be traveling on the Orient Express any time soon. (at Atlanta, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClWsK8COq3r/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=