Jun 29th, 2009
The 3 Best Reasons To Travel
There are 3 main reasons to travel. Most of the time these reasons blend, but not always.
1) To DISCONNECT from your everyday environment:
You need to unplug from your world every once and a while. It’s important to take an break now and then. Big or small. Taking time to let your mind relax and not think of your normal daily tasks will serve you well. It is a time to renew and refresh. When you come back reinvigorated, you have more to give to yourself and your world. This all goes back to taking care of yourself.
2) To CONNECT with new surroundings:
There is no question that connecting with nature does wonders. Whether it’s a beach, a forest, a canyon, a jungle, a desert, or a glacier – nature can renew and restore like nothing else. A quick way to experience this is to go to a state or national park for a day or two.
Traveling to a big city is also great. Big cities are FUN to experience. Big cities have an undeniable energy that can be invigorating. I LOVE the energy of New York City. I don’t go that often, but when I do it’s always a blast!
3) To CONNECT with people:
One of the most beautiful parts to me about traveling (especially to places very far away) is being exposed to and experiencing the people of that culture. It is amazing to connect with people that have lived a life that seems, on the external, nearly opposite of the life that we lead here at home. But really, we’re all on this journey called life. So we’re not all THAT different. Connecting with the people of another culture teaches compassion and provides a wisdom that you cannot get any other way.
Everyone should travel. You don’t have to travel far. But the farther you go, the more rich the experience. Greater distance traveled = greater culture change. Experiencing greater culture change = greater compassion and wisdom in your own life.
So, pack up and head out! GROW. Staying in your bubble doesn’t serve you or the world.
My most opposite experience yet…China. Amazing. An unforgettable experience.
Line to get into the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong
Place I’ve been that I want more of…the red rocks of the west.
Place I REALLY want to go? Thailand. I don’t know why. I just do. Maybe next summer:)
Where have you been that you loved? Where do you want to go?
