There are so many rules of life to which we simply subscribe, without questioning. We have so many freedoms that we never exercise simply because we’ve never tugged at the phantom-chains that bind them. The first time I could never turned into Hey! I just did! — life irreversibly changed. Why? Because for one, I figured out that this world, this society, this elusive ‘system’, didn’t really care about my individual life. I had broken the rules and instead of landing in the brig, I had slipped right through the societal-cracks and landed on two free feet. My silly notions were perfectly real and attainable — and I had every right in this world to move my free feet and take pursuit of them.
Should one decide to drop ones current life, in pursuit of something unknown, and specifically (in this case) in foreign lands for variable amounts of time — it should be warned than any of the following may result, and that such effects are the full responsibility of the person, and that the world may not be held liable for these consequences.
1. Self-dependency. Traveling takes gall, passion, endurance, independence and an immense amount of self-dependency. Although these qualities within may not be initially recognized, it takes all of them just to get on the plane. And then, through continual and rigorous on-the-road application – these traits begin to solidify and swell. It is not uncommon to find yourself feeling resolute, resilient and capable of anything. You might find yourself adverse to old ideas of finding someone else to ‘complete yourself’ and instead find a new passionate relationship with life that fills emptiness you may have once misidentified. Self-recognition as a complete and whole person can cultivate unlimited personal freedom.
2. Belief in Magic. Las Vegas, Disneyworld, SeaWorld and other such amusement attractions may suddenly lose their charm when such realizations are made as: the Luxor Pyramids actually do exist — in Egypt; that castles are real — and exist is misty mountains throughout Europe; that dolphins spin, flip, smile and squeal all by their free selves in all the wild oceans of the world; and that all performed magic is really inspired by, and in imitation of, some greater natural magic. Those said American establishments may begin to take on the flavor of imitation crab and your refined tastes for experiencing the originals may become insatiable. On the road you may also personally witness the miracles and magic of life and nature personally. Such experiences may include, but are certainly not limited to: erupting volcanoes, phosphorescent underwater light shows, asteroid showers, overwhelming remains of ancient civilizations, natural hot springs, towering waterfalls, and animals you’ve never seen behind cages at zoos. Simply because things are new, and because they lack explanation, they may become nothing less than an act of magic, or of the Divine. Your interest in life may become more childlike, and your new perception, delightful. Your new belief in magic may even evolve into the theory that we each, individually, with only a slight change in perception, have the power within to make everything in life mystical and/or magical.
3. New taste for the simplicity of food. Following where food comes from and watching (or partaking) in the harvesting of it may give you new respect for the beauty of that process. You may become suddenly disturbed by the idea of eating anything that is plastic-wrapped, instant, or chemically manufactured/genetically modified. Instead, you might be more inclined to choose those items you can pick off trees and out of the ground — those foods that you can see whole and were naturally made perfect for nourishment. Also, traveling through countries where people who have so little food, and witnessing their heartfelt appreciation of what little they do have — may inspire admiration, if not a change in your own relationship with something you may have been previously taken for granted.
4. Disinterest in materialism. After traveling, you may find yourself holding a pair of nylons or a tie in your hand, staring at it quizzically and asking, Why? Material possessions may lose their logic…and therefore their luster. Excess of money may be seen only as binding to responsibilities you no longer desire. Cars and houses and other such items may become commitments you no longer want to agree to. On the road you may even acquire a renewed interest in bartering. You may begin to take greater joy in the personal exchange of services for services and find new respect for the beauty of putting love into something you make, and receiving in return, something that was made with love.
5. Respect for the intelligence of nature. Being subject to both the beauty and power of nature may change your personal relationship with it. Finding yourself at its mercy at some point in your travels is entirely likely. And this confrontation may justify a new overwhelming respect for life. In the midst of jungles, oceans and deserts — witnessing the ecosystem at work first hand — may bring to mind a list of unanswerable questions in regards to who or what is really orchestrating this melody of intelligence. You may be subject to a renewed interest in the cosmos, and the questions behind it. You may no longer need Ansel Adams in your living room, for after witnessing such glimpses of beauty regularly, you may recognize his gallery as petty…. at least in comparison to the living one now in your mind.
6. Conscious Living.
7.Humility as an Amerikan. As you learn the devastating and self-interested role the hand of the Amerikan government has played in the destruction and corruption of the countries you travel in, you may feel immense shame, as well as anger and despise for the Government and Media that has hidden this history from you. You may suddenly become aware of the ugly & ignorant amerikan stereotype walls that you will have to peacefully break down in every interaction with someone of a different nationality. And you may suddenly feel immense guilt for the wealth of your nation upon the acknowledgment of how that wealth was acquired and of the alarming rate of how it continues to selfishly consume the world’s resources.
8. Feeling otherwise. The fact that you have chosen to pursue something that 99.99% of world doesn’t have the opportunity, or desire, to pursue, will forever and irrevocably make you different. This feeling, when analyzed while under the influence of the paradigm of a particular society, can lead to feelings of discomfort but, on the road, but in the presence of other like soul-seekers, nothing (and I mean nothing) will ever feel so right or so good.
9. Questioning Authority. As you begin to witness firsthand the international issues of sex tourism, poverty, malnourishment, underfunded public health crises, religious persecution, political corruption, environmental degradation, etc. you may begin to question every fact you’ve been told, every statistic you’ve heard quoted. You may begin to wonder how this overwhelming reality presenting itself to you right now could ever be contained in one quotation or statistic. How the rest of the world could not be immediately concerned, or even aware, of what is happening might become baffling. And more importantly than questioning what you have been told, you may begin to seriously question what you haven’t been told – and who has and hasn’t been telling you those things. In addition to questioning all the “authorities” in your life, you may come to the decision, that the only conclusions you can have faith in, are those that you know intimately yourself.
10. Mental freedom. A growing history of personal conquests may give you a silent confidence that you will be able to confront, succeed, and learn from all those challenges that life chooses to present before you. Every event, every person, every place – becomes an opportunity for self-discovery. And simply knowing that you tried, and gave it all the chance you could — may lead you to the realization that the ‘outcome’ was — all along – inconsequential. And finally, direct and unrelenting pursuit of your personal potential in this life may result in senses of peace and joy that may completely overwhelm your being.
