Oh, the Places You'll Go??

As much as you might not believe it, I have an incredible lust for travel.  Sadly, my stingy and responsible nature prevails and I'm often left still yearning to leave wherever I'm at.  It's not that I want to go live in Thailand by myself, I just want to travel and see things that are much more interesting than the very "new-world" United States.  I often let my ideas of my far-off future dictate my plans for right now.  AKA - making money at a steady job to eventually buy a house...  Instead of being jobless and travelling abroad.

My mind is fueled by inspiration of people who did just that.  I want to share three of my favorite movies with you.  It all started with Into The Wild.  A brilliant student who gives up everything to go live in the Alaskan Wilderness.  Then came The Way.  A story about a father travelling the Camino de Santiago.  This really sparked my interested in long journeys, pilgramages, and getting out of the city and on to the ground.  And most recently, although in a bit of a different category, The Way Back, where prisoners escape from impossible conditions in Siberia and walk 4,000 miles to safety in India. 

The first and last stories are based on true events.  I would also highly recommend reading Into the Wild, as the author has a passion for people who choose the same path of deserting their lives for severe simplicity.  And another life changing book, The Alchemist, is a must read for every one.  It is a very quick read, but potent and powerful.  It talks about following "your personal legend".  Essentially, doing exactly what I'm not {ouch}.  Following your heart to the maximum and not settling for anything less. 

I have a friend from my hometown who is the perfect example.  Most recently, he has climbed Kilimanjaro, adventured in Ireland, and reached the base camp of Everest.  He's in his mid-twenties and completely driven by adventure and success in the manner of achieving his personal legend.  He has an amazingly positive attitude and without knowing it, motivates me (and I'm sure others) to follow their hearts and accomplish what you thought might be impossible.  He is the epitome of "work hard, play hard". 

Not everyone can go climb a mountain, but we can each take a lesson in dreaming, being open minded, and not limiting ourselves to the norm.  Plenty of people out there have accomplished feats they never imagined.  Give yourself the chance to cross another line off of your bucket list.  Whether you're twenty or sixty, make sure you leave behind a story worth sharing.  I know I'm trying.