We are embarking on a journey. After much discussion and
dreaming, Erin, Hollis, Brett and myself are going to western Europe. Why? How?
Let me explain.
Last summer, Hollis and I both studied abroad in London. We
knew each other for only three weeks, but she became my soul sister. We talked
about our deepest desires and fears, our families and friends. Making friends abroad
is a totally different experience – you cling to one another with an equal mix
of love and desperation. Living with one another gave us a new appreciation for
the simplest of things. We learned
budgeting, self care, and the true value of a shared, cheap pasta dinner.
I thought I was crazy to go all the way to London with no
one to meet me at the other side. My first night in London, I got miserably
lost trying to get back to campus. I was so exhausted I was falling asleep, I had
to navigate the tube by myself, and it was extremely late. But I was never
scared – I am smart and stubborn. I made it back after three hours, and I never
had troubles navigating the transportation system again. That experience taught me self-sufficiency, independence, and that the
world doesn’t have to be a big, scary place. I sought help without being a
target, I was aware of my surroundings, and for the first time I didn’t depend
on my parents to get me out of a sticky situation. Hollis had a similar
situation and traveled to Ireland and Scotland completely alone! We were empowered by our own strength,
explored and pushed our limitations, and expanded our educational horizons.
I have been told “the habits you form now will be with you
for the rest of your life.” Many people I once knew have demonstrated the truth
in the statement in a negative manner. I have watched youth I knew grow in to
adults. Laziness turns into apathy and lack of ambition. Partying, once so
cool, turns into alcoholism. Sleeping around turns into failed marriages and
accidental pregnancies. While I don’t want to sound all gloom-and-doom, and I
believe your life can turn around at any moment, there is an important lesson
here: life is a result of intentional habits. So I decided to do the things that were most important to me first, not
last.
As we get older, life can just sort of happen to us.
Whatever we end up doing, we often end up with more responsibilities, more
burdens, more obligations. This isn’t necessarily negative – it’s part of
growing up. It means you’re influencing people, leaving a legacy. Youth, in
contrast, is a time of total empowerment and change. We still have ‘room to grow,’ and are at the
time of mistakes, discovery, and seeking direction.
I have grown and changed through travel – and what better
habit is there than appreciating the beauty of life around me? Traveling changes the way you see the
world. You are humbled to realize the world does not revolve around you, and
find new ways to relate to others.
I have lost people who are dear to me far too soon, and I am
reminded of the fragility of life. We are
not promised old age, we are not guaranteed more time. I choose to see the
world and taste the fullness of life, I seek to give my life meaning.
Why now? … Why not? I refuse to let my dreams be only
dreams.
So, with three dear friends, limited funds and only a
backpack, I seek to expand my horizons. We travel not to escape life, but for
life to not escape us.
