The world is captivated by travel. Every year, our bucket lists grow, inspired by loved ones and endless online stories.
So, the question arises, ‘Why is it that we all strive for an escape out into Earth’s boundless facets’? For some, it might be an escape from our day-to-day lives that pretty much repeat themselves 366 days a year. For others, it might be a childhood dream residing deep within our hearts, calling for fulfilment. Or you might be called by a deeper purpose, a calling so strong that your purpose becomes the never-ending roaming of planet Earth to uncover forgotten places, reveal transformative cultures and traditions, and ultimately seek the essence of the very existence we call life.
In the last example, I wholly describe my personal reason and purpose for travelling. In the end, to a question with many answers, I can only give you the answer that speaks to me personally. The answer to why one should travel and what it is that it moves within your heart and soul.
Embracing Ancestral Footsteps
Perhaps travelling fulfils us so because, in so doing, we embrace our roots. Humans have always been travellers. We have wandered for days, months, and years on end, built settlements, declared territory and forged a nation. A nation that, with the passing of time through constant movement, becomes home to diverse nationalities, cultures, traditions and religions. Why and how? Well, because we have travelled. We ventured into daring seas and crossed challenging grounds, always in search of that place where we would settle. Until someday, we would move on again.
In some way, from the first birth of human life, being a traveller is what we humans were called to be.
I guess it is all about following a calling within me, a calling born from a connectedness of human nature and the following of our ancestor’s footprints. Just imagine how different you would roam Earth with this set of lenses.
In today’s world, it is more than obvious to say that we no longer wander Earth like our ancestors did. We have settled in a place some of us never leave and call our forever home. Yet, whenever we head out into the world, to the beach, into the mountains or immersed in a crowd of unknown, known friends, we feel fulfilled.
Travel, a Uniting Force
Nearly 8 billion of us call this planet our home. A home ‘floating’ in a universe whose birth and presence we can’t find answers to. Isn’t that surreal? Not only were we gifted with a life, but each one of us was born with extraordinary human traits and unlimited potential.
We have each, as diverse groups, created and crafted our very own way of life consisting of treasured cultures, cherished traditions, philosophies and beliefs and our own language.
Each one of us holds a different story, yet one thing remains unforgettable: we are all united and gifted with life on Earth. Recognizing this is one of the benefits of travelling.
Considering this, I ask, how could the world become such a keeper of hate and anger and grow into divided lives?
Travelling connects human beings, resurfacing who we are at our cores. It fortifies understanding, respect, and unity through the sharing of one another’s way of life. I believe it is one of the greatest gifts we could give humanity and why travelling changes your life.
To travel is to become one again as a population of Mother Earth.
For us humans, we are not politics and leaders, the actions of one man are not the representation of a nation, a few extremists are not a religion, and the simple embracing of our own opinions is not something that should divide us but unite us, kindling an interest in one another’s point of views.
Travel and you’ll rediscover what we humans were truly called to be.
Your Most Transformative Friend
On top of the rediscovering of our essence, Mother Earth’s essence, and its boundless facets hidden in the presence of each being, it is also your greatest teacher and identity crafter.
When you travel, you face daily challenges and never-ending insights that influence the way you look and reflect upon life, encounter people and circumstances that make you rethink the meaning of riches, and immerse yourself in diverse ways of life requiring constant adaptation.
What you learn and experience during your days on the road is unlike anything else.
I guess the only way to truly understand what I write Is to set out on an adventure yourself.
I sincerely wish that my words spoke to you.
What about you? Why do you think one should travel and what does it mean to you personally?
See you on the journey.