I have been traveling since I was a little kid. Even though when I was a kid, I didn’t really pay attention to the little details that we tend to notice more as adults, I loved meeting people who spoke languages that I didn’t understand or ate food that I had never heard of. I loved looking at different skylines, spending time at local markets, learning new languages, and making new friends.
'Travel is the best teacher. The only way to an open mind is by taking a plane out into the open world.'
Recommended for you
-C. JoyBell C
Traveling has taught me a lot of different lessons about life and people. I'm going to talk about the ones that consistently stick with me no matter where I go or what I do.
1. We are all the same
Some people shake hands, some kiss cheeks, some hug; they all want to greet you. Some people pray at churches, some at mosques, some at synagogues, some at temples and some don’t pray at all; they all believe in something and they all are capable of loving you and being loved by you, regardless of what you believe in. It does not matter how one chooses to express their emotions or feelings. The wrapping of the present might be different, but the present is the same.
2. Taking initiative opens new doors
Yes! It’s true. We all need and want more new friends. Sadly, most people are just scared of making the first move when it comes to making new friends. If you fight your fear of taking the initiative, you can actually make tons of friends. I have made friends at restaurants, malls, driveways, coffee shops, the college cafeteria and even sidewalks. The key is to just go up to them and ask them a question: Can I sit with you? Do you know what’s good on the menu? Do you know a good place in the city? Do you need a shopping partner?
3. Adventures makes you understand yourself better
We all grow up being surrounded by people who have certain expectations of us. Most of the time, we forget who we actually are and what we actually want in order to fulfill the expectations of the people around us. When we travel to a new place, we surround ourselves with people who are interested in knowing what they should expect from us. This gives us a chance to explore our true wants and desires, and helps us understand who we truly are.
4. Valuing little things in life makes us happier
Traveling has opened my eyes to things that people would normally consider ordinary. It has made me realize that when we call these things ordinary, we are actually undervaluing things that have great significance. It is actually the little things in life that make it all worth it, whether it is a stranger smiling at you or a dear friend hugging you. Whether it is clean bed sheets, your favorite song playing on the radio, or even the smell of rain, they all leave a long lasting impact on our souls whether we notice it or not.
Being in a new place or experiencing something unique is probably the best catalyst for meaningful, deep thinking. So if you are willing to understand the true essence of life and gain some wisdom - travel, travel, travel.
