If there is one thing about travel that I know to be true, it is that it has undoubtedly changed me in the best way. Growing up in the South, we are taught to do and to see things in a certain way. Through traveling, I have realized that not everyone was brought up to believe the things that I believe. It doesn't make them wrong, it only makes them different. Diversity is a wonderful part of the allurement in new places. We do not fly across the world, only to experience the same way of life that we do back home. We go to experience someone else's way of life. We go to try something new. We go to learn from others and take our newfound knowledge back home with us. We go to immerse ourselves in the culture. To try new food. To meet new people. To stray from our comfort zone. This is the true adventure in traveling.
These are three newfound traits that travel has gifted me thus far.
1. Acceptance.
Acceptance both of others, and of yourself. Travel broadens your horizons and reminds you of what a tiny place that you occupy in this great big world. It unconsciously puts your small problems in perspective to the much bigger problems of the world, and sends you back home feeling much more appreciative of the life that you have. It teaches you that not everyone looks at life in the same light that you do. That's okay, because you know that the uniqueness of the people and the place is what has drawn you there to begin with. Acceptance frees up your mind to welcome new experiences, and that is a beautiful thing.
2. Patience.
If you have traveled at all, you have learned that things don't always go as planned. Connecting flights will be missed, luggage will be lost and reservations won't be found. Naturally, our first tendency is to panic. With a little patience, you soon find that there will always be another flight and material things can often be replaced. Over time, we get to a place where minor things such as this can be laughed off and chalked up as part of the journey.
3. How to live in the present.
With all of the distractions that we have now, allowing yourself to be captivated by something truly is a lost quality. Traveling allows you be captivated. It places you in front of beautiful places, people and experiences and seemingly says, "Here it is, now what are you going to do with it?" It puts you in the present moment whether it's where you want to be or not. It slows you down. It opens your mind to the unexpected. Unexpected realizations, unexpected friendships and unexpected adventures of a lifetime.
I am a passionate, overly enthusiastic person when it comes to traveling. I'm consumed by it. In the midst of all of the problems the world is facing today and the growing fear that is now unfortunately associated with traveling, the desire to go hasn't lessened. I think of all of the things that seeing a bit of the world has offered to me, and I am overcome with the need to see a little more. To learn a little more. To remain curious of the unfamiliar, and to welcome the unknown.
"Travel isn't always pretty. It isn't always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts. It even breaks your heart. But that's okay. The journey changes you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind." - Anthony Bourdain
