There’s no doubt that when we travel something wonderful takes place. I’m not just talking about the transformation of our Instagram accounts...I’m talking about the inner transformation that happens as a result of venturing out of our comfort zones and into the unknown, where discovery of foreign lands turns into self-discovery and loops back to discovery - and eventual understanding - of all humanity.
If done with an open mind and heart, travel will be one of the most rewarding, spiritually fulfilling experiences that you can have in life.
Here are a few things that travel can teach us:
1. The Importance of Believing In Yourself
When you’re about to embark on a trip to a new land, or on a journey within your own, the prospect of conquering something new and unknown can be daunting. There are a lot of variables to consider and a lot of things that could potentially go wrong. However, it’s never the end of the world if these unwanted things happen. In fact, they probably will happen, and not just them, but many others that you hadn’t even considered. So, the idea isn’t to avoid the bad, for that is impossible, it’s to have faith that you will be able to handle any situation that comes your way. Travel and all the unexpected things that can come with it, will prove that you’re more capable than you ever realised. Unlike when in your comfort zone with the luxury to withdraw when things get too tough, on the dusty road of travel, problems must be dealt with as they arise. It sounds horrible, but a moments pain is a lifetime of gain in the form of self-belief and the development of an inner strength that can be applied to any area of your life at any time.
Sometimes the only thing standing between you and the successful start of a transformative journey is the blind faith you have to have in yourself.
2. Following your heart/gut instinct and being brave will bring you riches.
So often in life we are told what we should be doing with it, that is, what societal mould should we squeeze our unruly, free spirit into. We feel the pressure from the moment we can conceive of the concept of future, then what is truly best for us verses pure societal expectation becomes one and the same. We find it impossible to tell the two apart. This is where your inner voice comes in, the one that comes from your heart. Call it gut instinct if you prefer, but it’s all the same. It’s that feeling that tells you exactly what you should be doing and where you should go. That is the vibration of something divine and it should trump any other opinion out there.
It isn’t easy at times, for choosing one path forces you to reject another, but by following your heart when it is basically dragging you by the shirt sleeve, you gain qualities that no amount of money from a high paying or low paying job can give you. Among many other things, you will discover:
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We have all the strength we need within us: During tough times you will be forced to go deep within yourself to find inner resources that you didn’t know you had. That will teach you to trust in your power in times of uncertainty and not exclusively in external sources.
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All you need is love: Travel teaches you about connection through revealing the links between us all to those who are observant. Love’s power is so strong, it transcends borders, races, creeds - even death. The love received from another, in the form of kindness for example, stays with you always in the way it influences and shapes you. Its transcending power can be drawn upon anytime, anywhere.
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Humility will set you free: Seeing how others live, especially those with less than you materialistically, is one of the most humbling experiences. If taken to heart, it will teach you to truly appreciate not just every little thing you have right now, but also every little thing you will ever receive. You will realise how lucky you are in the moment and not retrospectively. It will reveal that value is not held in bank notes, it lies in our individual and collective souls.
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Always be true to yourself without shame: When you follow your heart, you will be following a passion, something that sets your soul on fire. It is not selfish to follow your heart, in fact doing so will eventually lead you to where you need to be in the present moment and will naturally manifest all that you need. Following the beat of your own drum also requires that you break free of what is popular and trendy (but also vapid), doing this is a necessary part of the evolution of your soul. With your soul humming along and all is flowing to you in abundance, you’re able to be a positive influence in the lives of others.
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We’re All the Same: Travel will reveal that behind the superficial outer layers of skin, clothing, creeds and beliefs, we all want and require the same basic things – food, shelter and love. It will make you realise that since we’re all made of the same stuff, to hurt another or to wish them harm in the form of hatred is to hurt yourself.
3. Going With The Flow Is Key
Even if you’re a first-time traveller, it doesn’t take long before you settle into a new routine – because you must! Being in a new environment forces you to find novel ways in which to solve the new day to day occurrences that happen along your journey and this forces even the most rigid of people to just go with the flow. There are a few things that we are in control of, however there are many that are completely out of our sphere of influence. These are the things that we must let go and let God, or – go with the flow. The only thing that we truly have control over is the way we react to whatever happens. So, you might as well be chill about it!
4. The human race in general wants to do good.
Time and again during your travels, you will be the recipient of unmitigated kindness. Not only will this humble you and bring about a good dose of introspection by forcing you to think about how you would react if the tables were reversed, but it reveals that the world isn’t the scary place that can be depicted on mainstream and social media. The vast majority actually wants to do good.
In summary:
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You are capable of more than you realise; it is adversity that forces us to find better resources buried deep within us.
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Have a go; failure is experience gained.
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Pay attention to your heart/gut feeling/intuition.
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Do not let superficialities fool you.
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You inspire others and they will inspire you in ways you can’t imagine.
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There is more kindness than evil in this world.
Be kind Travellers X