The world is for everyone, not just a chosen few (economic and certain border restrictions notwithstanding). The more I travel the world, and the more that I see of it, its physical structure, composition, and people, the more I learn about myself. Sometimes I feel judged, stared at, or ignored; others times I feel celebrated, stared at, and completely included. Usually, I feel very fortunate. Rarely, though, do I feel perfectly like myself – which is of course, the point.
Though I love the Bahamas and being from there, I also realize that I am more a citizen of the world than of a particular place and should work on connecting more people with more of it, and each other. People have shared sentiments about how “lucky” I am to be able to travel. Yes, while I do feel fortunate to see what I’ve seen and been where I’ve gone, I also know that it does not require “luck” per se, it requires planning and a belief in its importance to make the requisite sacrifices and commitment of finances and time. It requires asking: What am I willing to trade to be able to travel, and what fears and judgments will I suspend or fully divest?
There is no better way to expose areas where lessons still need to be learned, and learnings still need to be taught – even when we are initially unaware of our deficits. In much the same way that new exercises expose physical demerits and create soreness, travel exposes flaws in our character and thinking that need to be pressed and melted away, allowing the remainder to be reshaped and built up. When thinking about the considerable sums of money that need to be spent to “subsist” en route to and in foreign places, I have realized that while I may not have anything tangible to show for it, I have literally invested in myself in a way that at minimum assumes the attributes of a formal education. And a spiritual one too. It’s an investment in self and in others, alike; and the cross-pollination of inspiration and ideas.
#offtoseeberlin
#100thpost
INENARRABLE 