The internet has thousands of useful applications. Not least of which, instant communication to anybody anywhere in the world. On my trip I've been fortunate enough to keep contact with many people both via instant messaging and posting on social media.
'That's amazing' 'so cool' 'I'm so jealous' 'aren't you excited!?!' These are some of the phrases I hear most often. I could take this post several different directions (how not everything is awesome, how there are some really tough days, how I hope that the trip inspires others to accomplish big dreams, how it is difficult to constantly show excitement to people back home while trying to temper that and not sound like I'm hosting a brag-a-thon. I thought I'd use this post to instead talk about what over powers the excitement.
Today I climbed 2 mountains in Cape Town, South Africa. Yes, I was excited to be in Africa and yes, I was thrilled at being at the top of table mountain overlooking the city and vast ocean. The conversation in my mind when experiencing these sorts of moments isn't 'this is so awesome!!!!!' It's actually more like 'I can't believe I'm here.' I've found that I'm more subdued in the best of moments and when I reflect on why, it's because I'm totally humbled by it.
I'm so fortunate to have the opportunities I have. Again, yes I've set out to realize this dream of travelling and yes I've worked hard at attaining it but there is so much that I can't control that makes it possible.
Time: for my grandparents to do this trip at my age would have been completely different. Lack of flights, more expensive, fewer resources, etc. I happen to live in an era when traveling is easier than ever.
Money: I can afford to travel. Not because I'm making some sort of ridiculous salary but more becaue I happen to be living in Canada (and a white male). By that alone I have more money than someone living in a developing nation. I'm not working any harder. In fact, there's a good chance I'm not putting in the hours and strain as someone else. I'm not any more intelligent. I just happen to be in a position to have more opportunities by simple virtue of where I was born.
Able: I am able bodied, of a sound mind, and in good health. There is nothing holding me back from physically accomplishing the act of travelling.
Time, again: I very purposely set out on my mega trip at this time in my life. I dont have a mortgage and I don't have kids. I am done school and work full time. I am fortunate that my employer allowed me the time off work so I wasn't faced with the choice of quitting. Many people have more obstacles to overcome. Not to say that they can't be overcome, but my situation involved less obstacles.
It is not lost on me that the trip I am currently on is absolutely amazing. I actually hope to inspire people to take on their big life goals in doing this trip. That said, it isn't all roses and many elements that are out of my control enable me to achieve this goal. It's not that I'm not thrilled and excited to be doing it. I'm humbled by the fact that I am lucky enough to do it, to have the opporrtunuty to do it, to be able to achieve the dream that nestled itself in my mind so many years ago. I am humbled.
'That's amazing' 'so cool' 'I'm so jealous' 'aren't you excited!?!' These are some of the phrases I hear most often. I could take this post several different directions (how not everything is awesome, how there are some really tough days, how I hope that the trip inspires others to accomplish big dreams, how it is difficult to constantly show excitement to people back home while trying to temper that and not sound like I'm hosting a brag-a-thon. I thought I'd use this post to instead talk about what over powers the excitement.
Today I climbed 2 mountains in Cape Town, South Africa. Yes, I was excited to be in Africa and yes, I was thrilled at being at the top of table mountain overlooking the city and vast ocean. The conversation in my mind when experiencing these sorts of moments isn't 'this is so awesome!!!!!' It's actually more like 'I can't believe I'm here.' I've found that I'm more subdued in the best of moments and when I reflect on why, it's because I'm totally humbled by it.
I'm so fortunate to have the opportunities I have. Again, yes I've set out to realize this dream of travelling and yes I've worked hard at attaining it but there is so much that I can't control that makes it possible.
Time: for my grandparents to do this trip at my age would have been completely different. Lack of flights, more expensive, fewer resources, etc. I happen to live in an era when traveling is easier than ever.
Money: I can afford to travel. Not because I'm making some sort of ridiculous salary but more becaue I happen to be living in Canada (and a white male). By that alone I have more money than someone living in a developing nation. I'm not working any harder. In fact, there's a good chance I'm not putting in the hours and strain as someone else. I'm not any more intelligent. I just happen to be in a position to have more opportunities by simple virtue of where I was born.
Able: I am able bodied, of a sound mind, and in good health. There is nothing holding me back from physically accomplishing the act of travelling.
Time, again: I very purposely set out on my mega trip at this time in my life. I dont have a mortgage and I don't have kids. I am done school and work full time. I am fortunate that my employer allowed me the time off work so I wasn't faced with the choice of quitting. Many people have more obstacles to overcome. Not to say that they can't be overcome, but my situation involved less obstacles.
It is not lost on me that the trip I am currently on is absolutely amazing. I actually hope to inspire people to take on their big life goals in doing this trip. That said, it isn't all roses and many elements that are out of my control enable me to achieve this goal. It's not that I'm not thrilled and excited to be doing it. I'm humbled by the fact that I am lucky enough to do it, to have the opporrtunuty to do it, to be able to achieve the dream that nestled itself in my mind so many years ago. I am humbled.
1 comment:
Marcus, when you have the dream to do something in your life, you grabbed that opportunity. Not many people can do what you are doing on this round-the-world megatrip. Good on you and you will treasure this experience for the rest of your life. Am anxious to meet up with you in Rome June 10th.
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