Something Europeans do well is take several weeks or more of holiday. In the US many of us work hard and long hours and are glad to get a couple of weeks of vacation. Time off away from all our responsibilities is imperative. It helps us to recharge, rejuvenate and to expand ourselves by seeing new things, perhaps trying new foods, and if we venture far enough away from home, even learn new languages.
For some, travel has become too cumbersome to be enjoyable. Long lines and wait times in security and at airport gates lead some to conclude that just staying home or close to home is good enough.
With that said, travel, and the enjoyment of it, largely depends on our attitude and mindset going into it. If we grumble about long lines or the inevitable things that don’t go as planned, we are likely to take that negativity with us even when things are going well.
I have learned to embrace the bumps and parts of travel that are not exactly smooth sailing. I expect long lines, cramped quarters on airplanes, and some inconveniences while looking to explore the world. In fact, some of these experiences are what make me grow and embrace each moment no matter what it contains.
I am on an airplane as I write. Because of my love for people and travel I already have met 3 new people that I have had meaningful and memorable conversations with.
I met a gentleman who is training pastors all over the world who is diligently working on his Ph.D A young gentleman who is on his way to a final interview for a job he really hopes to obtain.
And my seatmate is a family man who is serving our country in the Air Force. This is the joy of travel. Meeting people, hearing their stories. Getting out of our comfort zones. Being curious about other people, cultures, languages, and values.
What if we approached every day like that? What if we were curious about the person we hold the door for at the post office. The elderly woman behind us in the grocery store line.
The single frazzled mom who is just trying to keep it all together.
When we are willing to think outside ourselves, stay curious, strive to make someone else’s day better, we can enjoy our life on a whole new level. When we recognize that everyone we meet has a struggle, and we can potentially cross paths with someone who needs our smile, our hello, or our come stai?
Travel opens up all kinds of possibilities when we look for them and embrace them.
Instead of complaining about the airline food, the small seats and even tighter leg room, we can know that we will have some minor inconveniences just as we do in life aside from travel.
We can choose to focus on the big picture of gratitude, giving joy, meeting new people and hearing their stories, and living fully rather than just going through the motions or staying stuck in the status quo.
Consider where you want to travel. What parts of our country or the world do you want to see? Then imagine how that experience will allow you to expand yourself, break out of your comfort zone, literally and otherwise, and how you can find joy in every experience along the way.
We live in a beautiful area. Of all the places I have seen, and I have seen much of the USA, the Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful places to be.
And with that, traveling makes me appreciate the beautiful Kitsap area and Pacific Northwest even more.
It is good to be grateful for where we get to travel, and to have gratitude for the place we call Kitsap that we get to come home to as well.
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