Magic In Those Pages

Be the hero of your own movie. - Joe Rogan

I sit, once again, to start my daily writing session as another day of experiences has come to a close. As I write in this semi-empty common area overlooking the setting sun, I take notice of a commonplace item found in many hostels. Books. The assembly that lines the shelves or piled on top of the many coffee tables around the room is an amalgamation of the hostel’s own collection as well as travellers leaving their own books behind for others to read. A popular backpacker tradition is to exchange books that they have brought on their trip for something that has been left behind by someone else, which explains the wide variety of genres available to peruse from. Granted, there are always a couple of classics that are almost always present in the mix including Jack Kerouac’s On The Road, Paulo Coelho’s Alchemist, and Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild to name a few. As I look at the mass of paper and ink, I find myself thinking that for some reading these stories may have been the basis of why they set out on their trip in the first place. It was the piece of literary inspiration that they needed to set the gears of travel in motion; the push needed in their soul to venture forth into the great unknown. There is magic in those pages; an aura that radiates inspiration. At what point of their journey did they choose to part ways with their precious tome? No one but the traveller really knows this. A separation of an object that may not have outlived it’s usefulness to the owner, but left behind in the hopes of inspiring others as they have been inspired. The act of leaving something tangible only having gained something intangible in return. It may also signify an end for their metaphorical search. The end of their journey has come just like the protagonists in the books that they cherished. Although the book may have had a conclusion, this is all but an illusion. The book of life still continues on with the traveller writing their own story as they progress towards their own personal journey. While it may not yet be transposed onto paper, the story that is being transcribed in the annals of time will surely have a similar ability to inspire. As I watch the last rays of sunshine disappear into the vast blue yonder, I ask myself. What story will I leave?

Gather Round

A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor. - English Proverb

A journey of a thousand miles starts but with a single step. While this classic adage still holds true, the start of every journey, in my opinion, is a list. Are all vaccines up to date? Check. Did all the appropriate clothes get packed? Check. Passport and finances in order? Check. Naturally, the list will vary from person to person as I have alluded to in my entry about Minimalism, but the core concept is the same. Everything must be copacetic before the long awaited departure date. Still, despite even a high level of meticulous preparation, there is always the possibility of things not going as planned. Even the most thought out of itineraries will invariably come across setbacks where you can’t possibly have thought of preparing for. Travel just has too many external factors that are out of the traveller’s control. Hopefully, any incident that may occur will lead to no permanent damage or, at the very least, a full recovery back to normalcy in a speedy manner. Regardless, a positive light can always be seen with any outcome. That moment in time has now been transformed into a gift in the form of a story. It can now be recounted endlessly over an infinite variation of settings whether it be during dinner with family, drinks at the bar with friends or over a campfire with whoever are interested in hearing the tale. Some may choose to quietly transpose it onto paper for some personal introspection and, maybe, joyful recollection. A select few may even choose to publish these experiences for future generations to live out their journeys in vicarious bliss. There truly is magic in those words. Insignificant, too, is the level of grandeur needed for a story to be of any worth. If it is told authentically and with passion, it can be used to inspire; a beacon for someone to head towards what they most desire. After all, the best travel stories don’t come from a monotonous stream of favourable outcomes, but as a byproduct of unfortunate events experienced personally by the traveller.

Priorities

Investment in travel is an investment in yourself. - Matthew Karsten

If there is one common thread that is written about almost as much as the act of travelling is the excuses that people make that state the reasons why it’s an impossible dream. Consequently, another popular blog topic is the counter argument that it can be attainable to just about everybody. That travel can take form in a variety of different experiences tailored to the individual. Hundreds of articles are written detailing various methods to achieve this goal and can range from simple to the widely complex known to only an esoteric community. Regardless of the approach, execution will not occur without having the discipline and motivation to make it come true. Therefore, the biggest hurdle is much more of a mental barrier than it is a physical or logistical obstacle. Essentially, in order to succeed, it has to be made into a priority. Simple in description, but rather difficult in execution. But is that all that is needed in order to achieve the goal?  What does it truly mean to make something a priority? In the strictest sense, it is a thing that takes precedence over everything else. The reality, though, is that there are numerous things in a person’s life that can be defined as a priority. Family, careers, hobbies, financial obligations. Pretty soon a priority will very quickly turn into priorities. The problem is that there is only a finite amount of energy to channel into any one of these avenues. Stretched too far and things will start to suffer. Therefore, having made something a priority is not enough to complete a goal. It can only be truly achieved if it is coupled with sacrifice. There will come an inflection point where the deciding factor of success will be the elimination of the unnecessary. Sacrifice, after all, is the surrender of something of lesser value for an alternative of greater significance. Where does travel fall in your list of priorities and what are you willing to let go to live that dream?