Travel (v.): Make a journey

There's nothing quite like stepping into a new place for the first time. For as long as I can remember, I have always had a hunger for travel. Now, what I do know is that I've always been adventurous. I've never been the type of person to enjoy down time, sitting inside, or staying in one place for too long. Experiencing new things has always been of importance to me, for I feel like I should take advantage of the time that I have on this Earth to really understand what the world has to offer.

Don't get me wrong, traveling around the world is something I aspire to do in the years to come, but with that being said, having a hunger for travel doesn't mean that you have to set aside a huge expensive vacation to extravagant places every few months. It's also about exploring the places around you that you aren't incredibly familiar with. Day trips can have the same impact as week long excursions, it's all about what you make it. Take advantage of the resources provided to you, especially within your community. Check out wildlife parks, go on a hike in the woods, and search for hidden waterfalls. Every example just presented to you counts as traveling. The truth is, you never know what you'll find until you give it a try.

For some people, traveling is all about experiencing new things for the first time. But for others, much like myself, traveling is so much more than that. To me, traveling allows me to gain a new perspective on things. I feel as though when I visit a different location and learn about it, I tend to look at the world around me differently. Journey's like this can also lead you to encounter new people and hear about their ideas and perceptions of life, which then in turn broadens your mind. Another upside to traveling is that it can help learn a lot about yourself. Spending some time in an unfamiliar place where you don't know what to expect can bring out a whole different side of you that even you didn't know existed. It takes different situations, areas, and experiences to truly learn about the person you are.

With that being said, you don't ever have to travel alone if that isn't for you. Find others who shares a common love for traveling and you'll never be bored again. Being blessed with people who love traveling just as much as I do has been such a blessing. Whether it be a phone call in the middle of the night to take me to some open field to see the stars, a day trip to a nearby city, or even planning a trip out of the country, I've loved every second of being able to share these experiences with others.

While I haven't been nearly as many places as I would like to be yet, I plan to continue to travel as much as humanly possible, both within my current surroundings and worldwide. There is so much importance in experiencing new lands, cultures, and lifestyles. I plan to experience it all, take it in, and embrace every second of it.