To go everywhere, choose to stay where you are

Events unfold with their own force.  Travellers are who they are because of what they take in and how they step back to see themselves.  They define meaning in each situation.  They also evolve to sense the invisible matrix that connects all events in time. 

Are you the sort of traveller who goes with the flow? adapts and rolls with the punches? Or, do you tend to want to interfere, to control whatever makes the most sense to you in the moment?  You can go everywhere and still choose to stay grounded where you are.

If you believe in infinity, you believe you can go anywhere, do anything.  You may be drawn to unlimited possibilities and you may also sense a fear of going there.  You may have no interest whatsoever in reminiscing about your past, but your mind power generates realms and recollections that reorient you, wherever you choose to go.

Detachment is a companion.  It permits you to review experiences you had overlooked or disregarded.  Was it real?  Did the rush of energy and feelings shake you to the depths of your innermost foundations? A part of your psyche and soul each take the upper hand.

Return to what you know

Thomas Moore wrote, "he who travels best knows when to return." When Moore said this, I don't think he meant return to the familiar in terms of your old comfort zones and the exact mindset you had when you started. In fact, I think he had another idea in mind.

I sense this is a message about returning to the self we've always known deep down, but temporarily forgot or were afraid to embrace with unconditional acceptance.  Its a part of us that triggers joy, not only about being alive, but about every experience we have. 

You might ask yourself what happened to your appreciation for simplicity, for less, for a previous lifestyle you would prefer to revert back to.  Why don't you? External forces urge you to stick to an incompatible journey.  Get off this bus anytime you like.  

If we believe happpiness is a mindset for travel, not a destination, then we begin to recognize the infinte opportunities for education and experience.  Rest assured, you don't have to travel the world to uncover and develop deeper sides of yourself.

Some people believe they need foreign places in order to challenge themselves to recognize the familiar. If that's you, great.  Other people take life-changing journeys in their own backyard. Do what works for you. Just get there, where you really need to go.

Returning to what you know isn't about venturing abroad and eating only at McDonalds or staying only with relatives.  Its about rediscovering your innate courage, sense of adventure and abilities to understand and connect with others. 

Its about learning why all humans laugh, cry, love and learn what it means to die.  Travel enables you to encounter the strange and confusing, and sense its all familiar.  Its a journey you take to get back to yourself, that person whose essence you devalued and abandoned, but return to embrace.  You had to separate from your soul in order to truly understand what it means to to reconnect.

Sources of inspiration

Each person can discover places that enable them to develop ideas and sharpen focus. When was the last time you sought places that really enabled you to relax and focus on things? Where were you?  Where would you like to go to get inspired?

Some people can imagine the most incredible things at the local can imagine the most incredible things at the local laundrymat or grocer. Other people will go further to seek out different kinds of scenery. Would you prefer to stay nearby or to travel a further? Which environments motivate you or get your creative juices flowing?

For the next few days, I'm exploring historic temples and shrines in Kyoto, Japan. This has been a longtime dream of mine. I'ｍ fascinated by the arcｈitecture and symbolism, as well as the diverse trees and plants of the gardens.　I brainstorm and organize ideas amidst nature.  Unusual setting serve for some of my most creative inspiration, but I've also learned I need not travel far to be inspired. 

Change of perspective

Some people discover that a change of scenery is exactly what they need to renew and refresh their perspective.  Travel can enable us to perceive the world around us differently.  You can choose planes, helicopters, trains, automobiles, bicycles, buses, mopeds, motorcycles, horses, yaks, donkeys, camels, buggies, rollerskates, sleighs, snowshoes or even your feet to get around. 

No matter what your transport choices, how often do you really notice things you had missed before? How often do you retrace a familiar path? As you take the opportunity to expand on what you think that you know, on places you believe you have seen, you may be pleasantly surprised.

My most memorable choice of travel today was sea kyak.  I awoke soon after the break of dawn with thoughts of this excursion.  The sun was shining and the glassy water off the south shore of Nova Scotia was most inviting.  I packed my towel and bailer and other necessities, and headed off in the company of my dad.  My philosophy is never to go boating alone.  This is a safety measure as much as a reason for building companionship and sharing memorable experiences.

We certainly didn't begin to explore the over 350 islands in our area, yet marveled at the seagulls and wildlife that were visible along the coast and atop the masts of moored boats.  At times, we chose to just float along, or stop to observe renovations underways on seaside cottages.  To inhale deeply all that fresh, salty sea air was the most natural thing to do.  I relished the silence and the "newness".

How often do you simply stop, watch and listen to the world around you? How often do you honestly do very little or maybe nothing in your current environment?  Remind yourself that a change of scenery could be a very good experience.  To leave what you know and then return can permit you to appreciate your life differently.  You needen't go far.  Life will always be exactly what you choose to make of it.

Upcoming destinations

I'll be on the move in August and look forward to sharing exciting events and experiences in Canada, Finland, Hong Kong and Japan.  I welcome your thoughts on these and other destinations.   How do your dreams relate particular places in your past, present and future?  How would you like travel to be part of your life or not?