The Importance of the Traveled Road

I love to travel. Period. The more time that passes, the more I find myself growing into a new adventure junkie; a real travel enthusiast with a hunger for collecting more of who I am along the way. It’s my favorite way to grow my life, and I’ve discovered the real traction from travel comes from embodying our experiences and observations and allowing ourselves to be forever changed by them. Here are the top 10 ways travel has put its mark on me.

1. We are all one. Conversations across the globe show me we are all one in our hopes, fears, dreams and desires for meaning and connection. People are eager for global community. I’ve found that curiosity, connection and kindness go a long way to that end.
2. The best and worst of us is right outside the front door. Nothing shines light on the truth of us in our old perceptions and misconceptions quicker than getting out of our comfort zone. If you’ve ever found yourself in a challenging situation, in a country where you don’t speak the native tongue and your ‘normal’ help network is an ocean away, the true nature of what is in you comes out. My rule of thumb is to meet the challenge of new experiences with a speculative “what if …” query.
3. Local artists rule. Art expands how we think, feel and interpret the world around us. I have original art hanging on my walls, complements of creative artists and street vendors from everywhere I visit. Insider tip: some of the most amazing art you can find abroad is from local artists that sell their creations in plazas and public squares and will often cost you the price of a latte.
4. Always pack pluck and potential. Creating by either design or default is what we all do, no exceptions here! I always like to grab a hold of some imaginative and insightful thinking where I decide which “me” is off and running before I ever leave home.
5. Own your travel destination. Everyone has an opinion of what constitutes an ideal getaway; if yours resonates with you, regardless of where, that’s all that matters. Trust what’s lighting you up. Had I listened to someone tell me that Stonehenge wasn’t worth the visit, I would have missed a very profound moment in my life.
6. Shutterfly. I love Shutterfly, big time. It’s a great way to give travels a long shelf life, so do something with all those pics. When life falls into a familiar cadence and I’m longing for a little adventure before my next launch, I put my feet up and revisit all the amazing places I’ve been, page by page.
7. Follow the Boy Scout Creed “Be Prepared”. It’s the best way to manage experiences and expectations and mitigate crisis situations. When pre-planning isn’t enough, tap into your on-the- spot strategy and solution skills; I trust me in the best of my ability and make all decisions from there.
8. Good friends don’t always make good travel buddies. Not everyone is created equal when it comes to the way they travel and their bandwidth for new experiences. I’ve learned to keep an eye out for those deal breaking disclosures and now choose travel partners very judiciously, without apology. ‘Nuf said!
9. Agreements and apologies are power tools. There are ‘heat of the moment’ moments that test us as they pop up at the oddest times. Here’s where acting like an adult comes in; I’ve learned to apologize when wrong and short tempered, and create a new spoken agreement for those next times. Trust me, there are always next times.
10. Breathe life into the moments. There’s nothing like being in a new city with a list of sights to see. Word of caution here: if the agenda rather than the experience is your driver, stress and regret are the result. I find being fully present to what I’m currently doing and allowing myself to be influenced by the environment around me creates nothing short of magical moments!