Nr. 38

My first vacation (that I can remember) was to Cyprus. I celebrated my 5th birthday there. I remember so much from this trip as the impressions it made were quite mesmerizing. (I also got semi-kidnapped there, but I can write about that in another post)

I’ve spoken about this before but I feel I want to revisit this as a good friend of mine yesterday mentioned traveling and we ended up texting for quite a long time. We both agree that traveling can indeed help personal growth, and give both enriching mental stimulation as well as a better understanding of cultures. However, that all depends on why you’re traveling in the first place and how susceptible you are to harnesses information in a humble and beneficial way. I’ve met a lot of people who have traveled all over the world and yet remain narrow minded and aloof. The more stamps in your passport doesn’t make you better than those who have never traveled. I would listen to a person who’s been sitting at home for her or his entire life if they were guided by compassion and kindness rather than someone who’s traveled to every country in the world. Because ultimately, traveling is highly personal. That’s why it is somewhat boring for other people to listen to you talk about your travels. If you share your wisdom as a person, garnered from your travels rather than about, then the conversation becomes drastically different. 

I have seen some of the world, but far from all of it. I have no deep desire to see everything. Perhaps I did at some point, to collect notches in my travel belt. But as you grow (not older, just grow) you realize the reasons why you travel and for me it boiled down to two things: Get away from myself and life to the fullest in honor of my Mother and Sister. Both reasons are valid, but not sustainable nor gratifying. Yes, I experienced incredible things, but at the end of the day all I actually needed was to understand myself. You could argue that I needed to travel to find that, but I disagree. I think my avoidance would’ve manifested itself in some way or another, if not travel then perhaps something else. 

This would be a good time to remind myself that not everyone is like me. And that’s sort of the point to this entire post. People have different unique lives and reasons for doing what they do. The only common thing we should all embrace as guidance is understanding ourselves in a neutral but gentle approach. If we desire to travel, then ask yourself why. Is it because you feel pressure from your friend circle? Is it to impress? Is it because you feel you deserve it for all the sacrifices that you’ve done? Is it do get away from your work to a much needed break? And if so, are there other things that could also help if traveling is difficult or too expensive? Whatever the reason may be, remember that no reason is a bad one if it’s reflected and understood by yourself. And should you wish to not travel at all, that is also perfectly fine. Traveling in itself doesn’t make us richer, it is the way we think that helps us grow as individuals.