In the last two weeks I’ve shared with you the dumbest thing I’ve taken abroad and my first “global” experience. Each a part of the blog challenge presented by Small Planet Studio who is hosting Living Your Ideal Global Life Summit in January 2014.   This week the challenge is to describe how I AM living a global life?   I can say with a great amount of confidence that traveling is a way of life for me and a must-have in my life and work. I experience a unique joie-de-vivre when I travel that only happens when I’m in a different place and culture.   But I don’t believe that traveling is the definition of a global life; it’s a heart set, mindset, and skill set. NOT a location. After all, everywhere in the world is an international location.   I know I am living a global life because I… ♦ Am open-minded and naturally curious. ♦ Accept that we are all different from one another. ♦ Want to know people who are different from me. ♦ Question my own beliefs and bias. ♦ Understand the world is larger than my own reality. ♦ Am sensitive to difference making it easier to perceive and understand how behavior is culturally driven. ♦ Can effectively negotiate cultural differences to communicate and build relationships with people who are different from me. ♦ Am conscious of the things that happen around the world and how they relate to my life and community. ♦ Engage in my civic and social responsibilities. ♦ Expect all people to be treated with respect, equity, and dignity.   When I add these all up it means to me that I am living my ideal global life!   How are you living your ideal global life?   I hope you join me and 19 other amazing speakers at the summit January 13-17, 2014. Click here to learn more about the summit!   Check out these recent posts for more tips and resources for Living Your Ideal Global Life: Going Somewhere? How to be a culturally competent traveler Study Abroad Hangover! Re-adjusting to life back home How to Manage Culture Shock: Symptoms and Solutions On the Road Again: The Power of Travel