An inspiring read. Thanks, N!
3 REASONS TO TRAVEL WHILE YOU'RE YOUNG
From goinswriter.com
The other night, I had a conversation
with a young woman who had a number of decisions ahead of her, one of
which was whether she should go to grad school or travel the world.
I told her to travel. Hands down. No
excuse. Just go.
She sighed.
“Yeah, but…”
Never were more fatal words spoken.
Yeah, but… what about debt?
Yeah, but…what about my job?
Yeah, but… what about my boyfriend (or dog or car or whatever)?
Yeah, but…what about my job?
Yeah, but… what about my boyfriend (or dog or car or whatever)?
“Yeah, but…” is pernicious.
Because it makes it sound like we have the best of intentions when
really we are just too scared to do what we should.
It allows us to be cowards, while
sounding noble.
Most people I know who waited to travel
the world never did. Conversely, plenty of people who waited for grad
school or a steady job and traveled still did those things —
eventually.
Be careful of the yeah-but. The
yeah-but will kill your dreams.
I was so stirred by this conversation
that I shared it with a group of about thirty young adults last
night, many of which are asking these very questions.
The life you’ve always wanted
When you get older, life seems to just
sort of happen to you. Your youth is a time of total empowerment.
You get to do what you want. As you
mature and gain new responsibilities, you have to be very intentional
about making sure you don’t lose sight of what’s important.
So if you still have a reasonable
amount of control over your circumstances, you should do what really
matters. Because life won’t always be just about you.
During early adulthood, your worldview
is still being formed. It’s important to steward this time — to
give yourself opportunities to grow. A good way to do that is to
travel.
So, young person, travel.
Travel wide and far.
Travel boldly.
Travel with full abandon.
You will regret few risks you take,
when it comes to this. I promise you.
There are three reasons to travel while
you’re young:
1. Traveling teaches you to live an
adventure
When you look back on your life, you
will have moments of which you are proud and maybe a few you regret.
It’s likely that the following won’t be on the latter list:
- Bicycled across the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Appeared on Italian TV.
- Hiked a Mayan ruin.
- Learned Spanish in three months.
- Toured Europe by train.
They’re not on mine (fun fact: I’ve
done all of the above)
What, then, will be?
- Holding back.
- Being afraid.
- Making excuses.
- Not taking more risks.
- Waiting.
While you’re young, you should
travel.
You should take the time to see the
world and taste the fullness of life. It is worth whatever monetary
investment or time sacrifice that is required on your part.
It’s not about being a tourist. It’s
about learning the importance of experiencing true risk and adventure
so that you don’t have to live in fear for the rest of your life.
2. Traveling helps you encounter
compassion
In your youth, you will make choices
that will define you. The disciplines you begin now will be with you
for the rest of your life.
Traveling will change you like little
else can. It will put you in places that will force you to care for
issues that are bigger than you.
If you go to southeast Asia, you may
encounter the slave trade. If eastern Europe, you may see the effects
of genocide and religious persecution. If Haiti, you’ll witness the
the ugly side Western paternalism.
Your heart will break.
You will begin to understand that the
world is both a big and small place. You will have a newfound respect
for the pain and suffering that over half of the world takes for
granted on a daily basis. And you will feel more connected to your
fellow human beings in a deep and lasting way.
You will learn to care.
3. Traveling allows you to get some
culture
While you’re still young, you should
get cultured. Get to know the world and the magnificent people that
fill it.
There’s nothing quite like walking
alongside the Coliseum or seeing Michelangelo’s David in person. I
can describe the city of San Juan and its amazing beaches and
historic sites to you, but you really have to see it for yourself to
experience it. You can read all the books in the world about the
Great Wall of China or The Louvre, but being there is a different
story.
The world is a stunning place, full of
outstanding works of art. See it.
Do this while you’re still young. Do
not squander this time. You will never have it again.
You have a crucial opportunity to
invest in the next season of your life now. Whatever you sow, you
will eventually reap.
Please. For your sake, do this.
You won’t always be young. And life
won’t always be just about you. So travel. Experience the world for
all it’s worth. Become a person of culture, adventure, and
compassion.
“What if I’m not young?”
Travel, anyway. It may not be easy to
do, but find a way to get out of your comfort zone. It’s really
never too late.
But if you haven’t gotten sucked into
the routine of life yet, I implore you — travel. It will never be
easier than it is right now for you to do that which really matters.
