I wasn’t able to get my 500 words in
yesterday, but as we were bouncing around hundreds of miles and meeting with
different people I figured I was absolved temporarily. As a result, it seemed appropriate to come to
the table this morning and talk about… you guessed it… Travel. It’s gotten me thinking a few different
things. #1- how can I write while in the
process of traveling in a car for hours at a time? and #2-What kind of traveler
am I? It might seem strange to say this, but I really believe there are different
philosophies about traveling. What you
think about it pretty much dictates your relationships and major decisions in
life.
I believe I was taught to travel well.
Let me try to explain that. I'm thankful that my Dad instilled a strong
sense of adventure inside of me. My earliest vivid memories all center
around us taking a trip somewhere. They're my happiest memories.
There I was maybe all of 4 years old and I would be riding shotgun with
my Dad in the front seat while he taught me how to read a map as we sailed
along long Texas highways. It was the 70's back before all those rules
came into play about children under a certain height not being able to travel
in the front seat. And would you believe that I wouldn't wear a seatbelt
either? For shame. Anyhow, it certainly didn't get in the way of
the pure unadulterated joy that goes with the windows down... wind washing over
my face; different scents as we passed through different terrain and my Dad's
happy chatter as he explained the different places we were driving through with
their different stories and people.
There he was pointing out the window at some sign we were passing
heralding the advent of a new city to adventure through, then next pulling off
to the side of the road to investigate the crazy looking tree that looked like
a twisted pretzel bent together by some warped giant. Meanwhile, my mom would be rolling her eyes
in the back seat of the car and asking when we were planning to stop for food and
the bathroom. Good times.
Another thing that I’m thankful to have been instilled with is the
belief that all my needs would be taken care of no matter where I traveled or
with whomever I would travel. Fate/Destiny/Providence always seemed ready and waiting
to provide a way out of anything; lots of inspiring company, food and
conversation; and the kinds of crazy, adventurous stories I would be able to
share in the years to come. I have
journals full of memories that could fill quite a few rooms, if not an entire
house. Because of my dad’s infectious,
curious spirit and love of travel, I now completely trust that I was given the
ability to treat every situation in my life as if I were on some grand
adventure. I rarely feel stuck, because
I know that life is in how you perceive it and so I’ve decided to treat it with
the understanding that I can have direct positive influence on any situation
simply by being open and flexible. It
makes a difference.
Life is like traveling a path under a night sky. That can be a challenge, or it can be an
exhilarating whole-hearted embrace of new people and new ideas that you won’t
discover unless you turn around the next bend.
Learn how to travel well, and you’ll discover the secret to joyous living. Forever.
No comments:
Post a Comment