What's in Your Suitcase?

​If you could put only five things in a suitcase and carry that around with you for the day, the year, or even a lifetime, what would you choose to pack?
I posed this question to my yoga class back in 2015. This week, two things happened that feel significant: I stumbled upon the meditation I wrote back then, centered around this very question, and just this morning, I listened to a podcast that essentially asked me the same thing. I believe that’s a sign the Universe wants me to share. Oh, and as a funny side note… I’m also shopping for a new suitcase!
Imagine this suitcase isn’t filled with clothes or essentials, but with the intangible things that shape how you experience life. You get to choose not only what you pack but how you will use it as you meet the world. Did you pack patience, gratitude, hope, acceptance, and optimism? Or did frustration, bitterness, fear, impatience, anger, and resentment find their way inside?
Now picture this: you’re moving through your day, suitcase in hand. Life happens—someone cuts you off in traffic, a project doesn’t go as planned, or someone says something that stings. You get bumped. The suitcase flies open, and its contents spill everywhere. What comes tumbling out? What do others see? What do you see?
The truth is, we’re all carrying something. Often, we don’t realize what’s inside until life gives us a jolt. That’s when our packed emotions, values, and intentions reveal themselves. It’s easy to display kindness and grace when things are smooth, but what spills out when we’re shaken? That’s the real reflection of what we’ve been carrying.
This happened to me recently when life gave me an unexpected jolt, and a few things spilled out of my suitcase—things that didn’t align with the tone of my day or the mindset I thought I had. Suddenly, I felt undone, my “stuff” scattered everywhere, exposing emotions I hadn’t realized I was carrying. The chaos and exposure were unsettling. But as I paused to gather my things, I realized I had a choice: I could repack with intention, deciding what to hold onto and what to leave behind. That simple act of awareness helped me find my footing again.
So, what’s in your suitcase?
Take a moment to unpack. Examine each item. Are you holding onto something that no longer serves you? Is there space for more of what you truly want to carry—love, courage, resilience, or peace?
The beauty is, you can repack anytime. You get to choose what stays, what goes, and what needs to be folded gently and placed right on top, ready to be shared when the world needs it most.