This travel inspiration (in which I’m hoping it turns out to be) is for everyone out there that has a wild hair and an itch to just up and leave for awhile, take off, get out of here, explore, wander, find peace, meaning, whatever it is that you call it. I want you to be able to experience what it’s like to live freely. Not the freedom we’ve known living in the U.S., but a true sense of freedom in which traveling for an extended amount of time can bring you. The way it feels to be away from all the constraints of set structures and routines laid out before us and that we’re so blindly and unknowingly molded into growing up in this society. I do believe our systems are good and have numerous benefits, but I also know there comes a time (or times) that we need a break and desire to follow that burning instinct of wonder within and long for the ultimate freedom.
The freedom and luxury in the sense of no responsibility, stress that is easily manageable, actually waking up when you want each day, doing what you want to do, going where you want to go, the profound feeling of discovering new things about yourself when you thought you already knew it all, how you really are, and if you’re actually a morning person or not. It’s for those that are tired of waking up and doing the same thing day after day, the 9 to 5, seeing or hearing daily from that discouraging boss who loves power and abuses it, or those who just want to break away and see what else is out there and what education, new perceptions, opportunities, lessons, and open doors await them away from the tampered path we all seem to find ourselves. The one we all know – the path in which we’re channeled down without even realizing it as if on auto pilot riding those flat moving walkways we see at airports to a destination unknown other than paying the next bill or getting up early the next morning for that meeting, appointment, class or presentation.
Most of us often find ourselves in similar moments or situations fantasizing about putting it all on hold and acting on the dreams of our imagination. Then, without fail, somehow immediately following these daydreams we briefly wake up and then drift back to the reoccurring thoughts of how high school and even college are becoming a distant memory – where the heck did the time go, am I really this old already, when is Friday going to be here, man do I really have to meet with that person again, how in the world did I get here, and what in the heck is this flat moving thing that I’m standing on and why am I not walking on my own?!
That’s what I’m talking about – it’s because it’s all we’ve known and perceived since we were young and been conformed to starting with the single file lines in grade school before we could leave the classroom. Most of us have never embraced the thought or ability to take a right when everyone else is going straight and actually turn a dream into reality! We’re too busy being shuffled along from one stage to the next not having the time to really think on our own. Before we know it we’re standing somewhere confused or in some sort of shock wondering why didn’t I or what if… It’s amazing how many decisions are already made and will be made for us if we don’t take ownership of them.
It really isn’t as hard as everyone initially thinks when choosing to take off and travel for an extended amount of time. My goal is to motivate you and show you what steps my wife and I started taking to make it happen. Two years ago I was 3 months into my new job with a lot of debt, numerous bills, and a totally different perspective. I dismissed all my dreams and thoughts of doing as I wish and traveling the world as I had been sucked into the tractor beams of the professional world and the daily corporate life of policies and politics. Somehow these two things always (and ever so easily) manage to dictate our life and keep us near the office with some sort of ankle monitor only allowing us to leave or take vacation periodically – and only for short periods of time when we do. Traveling was a fantasy for me! I really didn’t think it was possible to achieve – it was only something the wealthy could do.
In this same time frame I proposed to my beautiful wife, changed the way I spent my paychecks, and downsized the bills that were un-necessary. I couldn’t believe how much of a difference and savings I made from several little changes on items such as a personal Blackberry to a regular phone. Why pay the extra $40 (plus tax) per month when I can wait to get back home or to the office and surf the web better? It all comes down to impatience (in which I’ve found I’m awesome at). Many successful businesses thrive on the impatience of consumers – it’s definitely a great market! Time is everything – if you can make something faster then you’ll definitely have a successful career from a business standpoint. Hearing several money saving tips and techniques from my wife (girlfriend at the time) I just happened to realize small things like that about myself in which I could save money (areas of impatience that costs me money).
It helped me lose quite a bit of stress as well – especially when at that red light sifting through your Blackberry reading an email from a client or someone else and feel you need to respond immediately as if you’re engaged in live conversation with them. Suddenly the light turns green and then over the course of the next several miles you’re stress level goes off the charts as you try to formulate an email response while nearly rear-ending cars at every upcoming intersection (or even on the road as your foot seems to get heavier raising your speed). Then there’s even the opposite extreme of driving 20 miles per hour as you type causing frustration in the drivers behind you and raising their stress level. Another bad one I’ve done a few too many times (once is too many) is running a red light by accident as you concentrate on the email. I’ve found it’s much better to wait in sending a response for all the reasons listed above, as well as for everyone’s overall safety – I’m with ya Oprah, don’t text and drive – and to avoid extra stress (for yourself and others) as you can articulate much better when in front of a computer. Customers can wait a bit for a response (after all they did email you – not call), not everything has to be instantaneous and it’s a good way to save a bit of money while providing some extra safety for yourself and others.
So, until next time as I sit in my den...
AA - Onward bound.
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