One of the most influential pieces of literature I’ve had the pleasure of reading is the book, “Eat, Pray, Love.” Elizabeth Gilbert captivated me right from the start with her vivid imagery of Bali's incredible beaches, India's ethereal shrines and Italy's enticing food. However, what intrigued me the most was her motivating journey to find balance in her life. She accomplished this by letting other cultures influence her perceptive on life. Throughout her travels, every day she discovered more and more what the world had to offer, but more notably, what she had to offer the world. She believed in the importance of exposing herself to the unknown and the possible ambivalent traditions and beliefs hiding around every corner. I knew immediately after I finished reading this enriched journey that there is an undeniable significance behind traveling and everyone should take on a quest of their own.
This book empowered me to view the world as a blank canvas. For some, this is just a monotonous, lifeless object, but for others, it’s a humble object that holds endless amounts of possibility. To me, it seems unsatisfactory to leave it blank when you have an opportunity to color it in. I think this implies to traveling as well. Why stay in one place when you have the chance to explore the world? As I get closer to embarking on my study abroad program in London this fall, I become more eager to indulge myself in other countries’ philosophies and paint my canvas with cultural influences from that amazing city. Studying abroad is the perfect opportunity to broaden my mindset both academically and culturally.
Gilbert’s infatuation of her travels made me think of the worldly quote by F. Scott Fitzgerald, “I want to go places and see people. I want my mind to grow. I want to live where things happen on a big scale.” Traveling provides you with an amazing opportunity to learn about unfamiliar sacred customs that could help you see the world’s beauty and admiration that you may have been heedless of in the past. This beauty you see and feel as you travel isn’t necessarily directly from incredible sights, but it’s the change you see within the world and yourself as you effortlessly begin to live outside your comfort zone.
Traveling allows your natural curiosity to take over. You aren’t afraid to ask the questions and find the answers. You aren’t hesitant of trusting the unknown or loving the unfamiliar. The hollow parts of your life somehow become filled throughout your journeys. As Gilbert said, “…the balance has somehow naturally come into place.” When you explore a world so extensive and enthralling, you expose yourself to diverse perspectives and endless possibilities. Your desire for balance and having an open mind will become effortless.
I am hoping while I am in London, I’ll experience that magical enthrallment, embark on my own journey to find balance and create a co-cultural mindset that I will be able to carry with me wherever I go.
