Global Exposure: Why Everyone Should Travel
This article first appeared in Volume 10 - Issue 1 of Industry Certified Magazine. Visit their website for more info.
“…A friend and I found ourselves in a passionate conversation about the pros and cons of travel. A usual homebody, he wasn’t as thrilled about venturing out into the world and shared several reasons for his reluctance to leave home.
“I'm honestly not sure if life is meant to be lived in one place or not,” I said. “Perhaps some of us need to move around, while others are more stable when they stay put. Even if you live in one place your whole life, I still believe you should travel as much as you can and as far as you can.”
His response stemmed from a Zen Buddhist mindset, suggesting that no one really “needs” to do anything, and referencing devout monks who maintained their peace of mind through meditation, ultimately finding stillness more fulfilling than the external spectacle. My friend warned against buying into the idea that happiness can be found somewhere outside of ourselves, suggesting that through an obsession with travel, perhaps we feel that joy is always waiting for us at the next place, person, or experience…
“I think for some people it is necessary,” I said after some thought. “If I had never left my suburb, I wouldn't have experienced the same struggles. I wouldn't have realized how differently some people live and think from me. The Buddha himself had to leave his perfect home to realize the suffering of humanity and eventually transcend it.”
…That being said, there are certainly many reasons why someone can’t travel, and there have been times in my own life when I’ve had to sit still. Relationships take time to develop, and it’s hard to nurture them when you are constantly taking off on the next adventure. Sometimes, family and loved ones will come before travel opportunities. At other times, work or school might restrict your plans for elaborate, lengthy trips. These priorities might also depend on where you’re at in life. If travel isn’t up there, that’s okay. And if you really do want to go somewhere, there is always a path to navigate the obstacles holding you back. It might require a bit more sacrifice and planning, but I promise, the reward will be worth the struggle.”
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