100

I’m not sure if it’s the weather, holiday carb overload, massive amounts of work, or a combination of the three, but it seems that I’ve come to a road block of sorts in the blogosphere. What started as a fervent passion has since fizzled out. It’s not that I lost my enthusiasm for travel or photography or writing for that matter, I just seem to have lost my motivation. Working 12 hour plus days, fitting in gym classes and holiday gatherings, and planning future travels has left me with little to no time. Although my dusty blog space should not be attributed to lack of time as I have always been the type of person who can juggle dozens of responsibilities. In all actuality my blog has become a bit of a chore as I feel a sense of duty to report my travels and experiences to the world. Whatever it is, I hope to get back on track soon as I have several adventures in the works – a week in chilly Calgary, Alberta, a weekend at a secluded mountain top resort in the Washington Cascades, two weeks trekking through Peru, and a three month long photography course at an esteemed fine arts photography school.

As this is my 100th blog entry, I feel a sense of obligation to create a spectacular, dazzling display of my adventures to date. Instead, I feel it necessary to boost my morale in hopes of jump starting this blog. I have always been a “list” person. I create lists for nearly everything: to do lists, places to travel, books I’ve read, upcoming birthdays, things I am thankful for, you name it and I guarantee at some point in my life it has been a list. For this 100th entry I could easily list 100 places I’ve travelled to, 100 places I want to visit, 100 of my favorite travel photos, or even 100 reasons why I should continue this blog. But 100 seems like such a daunting number, and in fact it’s hard to believe that in just eight months I’ve produced 100 blog entries. The number 10 on the other hand is much more manageable, and for this 100th entry, I give you my top 10 reasons to travel the world in hopes of rekindling this blog space. Here goes…

1. Anyone can travel. Whether young, old, rich, or poor it is possible to experience the world. An around the world journey may not be feasible, but getting out an exploring your own community is the first step.

2. Travel makes us better citizens of the global community. When travelling we improve our understanding of different cultures, people, and customs and therefore we are less likely to play victim to stereotypes and judgments about others.

3. Travel introduces us to new people. Whether fellow travelers or locals, you may very well meet some of the most influential people in your life.

4. Travel is accessible. It doesn’t always require a plane ticket or massive amounts of money. It can simply mean stepping outside and walking amongst your local farmers market or hiking along a new trail. As long as we are broadening our perspective and engaging in new experiences we are travelling.

5. Life is meant to be lived to the fullest. Going about our daily routine will only satisfy temporarily. Experiences outside of the norm help make life more memorable.

6. Travel pushes us outside of our comfort zones, promoting confidence and self-esteem.

7. When travelling we learn more about the world – the geography, people, religions, and history that comprise the story of humanity. A broader perspective and increased knowledge allow us to be better decision makers, community members, and leaders.

8. Travel helps us to focus on what is truly important in life – friendships, family, and experiences. Too often it is easy to get swept away in a materialistic society, where our focus is solely on climbing the corporate ladder and obtaining new possessions. Travel grounds us and makes us more appreciative for the subtleties in life.

9. When we travel to new places we suddenly become aware of how fortunate we truly are. As much of the world is ridden with poverty and disease, seeing these things helps us to realize how insignificant our problems and stresses really are.

10. Travel fosters self-discovery. When placed in a foreign place it is easy to discover who you really are and what you stand for. When the walls built around you are removed, your true identity emerges and the true self is revealed, and values, beliefs, and opinions are not only challenged, but strengthened.

And that my friends, is why I travel. This list has provided a small jump-start, and I hope to be back in the blogging swing of things soon. I’m not sure if I will return with such frequency and intensity as I have in the past, but I will return nonetheless. Until then, perhaps you can inspire me, why do you travel?