Traveling to the Unknown

Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Tambopata Research Center (Peruvian Jungle, Puerto M.)

When approached with an open mind, traveling to the unknown disrupts our past perceptions. It re-opens the dusty path where childhood creativity crashes with adult ideas. In a way, traveling should scare us. It should challenge us. It should excite us. If it were easy to interrupt our status quo, we would do it all the time, right?

In my life, exploring the unknown is more than just a place; It’s a mindset. Learning about new cultures and trying to understand how other people live their lives brings in a new psychological awareness to the world around me. After all, there are over 7.8 billion versions of reality on this planet alone. My Papa always used to tell me to appreciate what I have and to be thankful for the small things most of us take for granted. When I was young, I thought he meant being grateful for material things. Over time his message speaks to me differently. It’s not about material things; it’s about perspective. When traveling to a 3rd world country like Peru, when drinking water is scarce, plumbing isn’t up to standards, and many houses are made of clay, we’re reminded how fortunate we are to have our lives back home. Many people don’t even have enough money to put food on the table for their kids while I'm over here with the privilege to travel the world and write this very paragraph today.

Put simply, traveling has the potential to change how we think. I’m grateful for that. When we explore somewhere dramatically different from what we’ve previously known it brings out a part of our mind that hasn’t been accessed. When your status quo is questioned, your perception of the world can change. Stimulating creativity and imagination is essential for upward progress, yet challenging in the world we live in today. In all, I believe that diving into the unknown can be a solid investment strategy in yourself. I know it has been for me.