It is in our human instinct to travel. Humans like to explore, to go further, and we like to see for ourselves. We set up homes, our places of security, where we feel safe, sheltered and loved, where we will be close to food and water. However, this innate instinct to explore also exists within us and leads us to go outside our safe zone and journey to learn what’s around us. While traveling we begin to understand the similarities of human nature all over the world. Despite our many differences, which are showcased for us in the media, the basic needs of our homes are the same in the United States, in Cameroon, or in Colombia.
“Human nature appears to be just the same, all over the world.”
– Mark Twain, The Innocents Abroad
People have always been exploring. From the first humans leaving the African continent, to the early Polynesians taking to the seas, to putting a man on the moon, we are a curious, inquisitive species. People also travel for reasons that are less grandiose in the scheme of time but dire to their situation - to escape persecution, to find better economic opportunities, to fulfill a desire, or to return home.
People also travel simply for eye-opening learning experiences, to view amazing wonders or stunning vistas, release themselves into an environment or breathe in fresh air. Seeing the world, its cultures and landscapes, with our own eyes opens our minds. We need to value these life experiences travelling outside of our home comfort zones, whether it be far-flung or near by.
Our own culture, that we are raised in from babies, is not conscious to us. Become aware of your own cultural and behavioral norms, that may not be normal to others. Don’t ignore our cultural differences, don’t perceive these differences as problems, use this diversity to create original solutions to the true problems that effect us all – lack of basic needs, want for assertion of human rights, ability to reach one’s full potential.
This is becoming ever more important in our current political world as bullying and fear mongering unite people in hatred of what’s different, rather than bringing people together. Strength of a society, its values and prosperity, lies in the unity of its people. We shouldn’t allow ourselves to be instilled with or paralyzed by fear but rather go travel and see for ourselves that kindness and hospitality trump xenophobia, that even without a common spoken language people will still invite you to share in a meal, and that we can still have faith in the human spirit. Even frustrating experiences are valuable in that they encourage us to employ our virtues. Otherwise, we can travel into nature to bolster our own spirits, to release our judgments, to mindfully come back to the basic fact that we are all cut from the same earth and to feel humble to its great influence on us and to the unknown.
“Travel and change of place
impart new vigor to the mind”
- Seneca, Roman Philosopher
So whether you travel to get away from it all or to be in the center of the busiest of cities, whether you go with minimal belongings in a small backpack or you travel in the utmost of style and class – go travel! When life feels stagnant, there is no better way to change your mind than to change your location. You will thank yourself for the humility, new perspective, and creativity you gain!
For travel motivation check out:
25 of the Best Reasons to Travel collected by Rough Guides
or HuffPost’s 11 Reasons Why Travel Makes You a Happier Person
For travel inspiration and the best destinations of 2018 look no further for:
Adventure from National Geographic with their Best Trips 2018
Wandering with Lonely Planet to the Best in Travel 2018
Style from Travel + Leisure with their 50 Best Places to Travel in 2018
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