“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain
My love for traveling stemmed from my childhood. I give all credit to my step-father, who has always had a love for traveling. He has always loved looking at the scenery while driving, which you can’t really do while on a plane. Traveling gave me experiences that I’ll cherish for a lifetime. It taught me lessons that couldn’t be seen from a different person’s perspective in a classroom, only my own. It helped foster a love for history, as well as an appreciation for architecture, landscape, culture, food, and art. Traveling has also helped me broaden my perspective, value the things that are often taken for granted, overcome shyness, and generally taught me what textbooks could not.
From my teenage years to my early twenties, I seldom traveled. It wasn’t until my mid-twenties that I realized that I wasn’t getting any younger. This realization and renewed zest for life hit at one of the most critical moments of my life. My step-father, who was always on the road, had a stroke that left him paralyzed on one side and wheel-chair bound. He helped me learn that life is too short to not do what makes you feel the most alive. I didn’t want to wake up one morning with a laundry list of regrets. It also made me think of a Tyler Perry film that I watched a few years ago, in which Charlotte (Kathy Bates) asks her friend Alice (Alfre Woodard) a serious question, “Are you living or just existing?” before embarking on a hilarious and adventurous road trip.
I’ve done a lot of traveling with my family for the past few years. I’ve also done things that I would never have envisioned myself doing in a million years, yet I ventured outside the norm to be able to say that I did that, such as getting a passport to travel outside the country. Petrified as I am of the idea of being on the water (ironically, I enjoyed boating as a child), I even pushed myself outside my limit by going on a cruise. The idea of going on a cruise never appealed to me before, but the firsthand experience helped me realized how enjoyable a cruise can be! I enjoyed it so much that I’m hoping to go on the Holistic Holiday on Sea next spring.
I’ve always been petrified of heights, yet somehow I was also able to get on a plane for the first time this year. The first time was one of the most dizzying, yet exhilarating experience I have ever experienced. I’ve been on a plane several times since then!
Life is about taking chances. Try not to pass all of them, as an opportunity only knocks once for some. That brings me to ask you the question, “Are you living or just existing?”
Life IS about taking chances and going for it. Glad you’ve been able to overcome your fear of heights and got on that plane!
I love the quote you chose from Mark Twain. How true! So many people put off travel until retirement, so I’m glad to see you’re not!
Anne-Marie @ This Mama Cooks! On a Diet recently posted..Stocking up on healthy back to school supplies
I want to travel so dang badly but every time I think I might be able to one of the kids needs something.
Chelle @ Oh Just Stop Already recently posted..4 tips to having more fun at homeâ¨
I’d love to travel, but I just don’t have the money. I guess I’m just existing right now, but I hope to change that.
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I’m so excited my daughters are in their 20s and have been doing so much traveling! It makes me happy to see them living their lives to the fullest! Wish I had done the same thing, but I had kids and enjoyed them.
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It is so important to see the world. I commend you for getting on that plane to see the world!
I love traveling and didn’t do much of it until my late 20’s. I’ve never been on a cruise though! I’d love to change that!
Jennifer @ Mom Spotted recently posted..The Design By What Matters Sweepstakes with Benjamin Moore! Win up to $2000!
I’d love to get out and travel more. It’s much harder to do with a family.
vanessa: thequeenofswag recently posted..New Rules For School From Asurion & A LiveScribe 3 Smartpen Pro Edition Giveaway!
I would love to travel more often than I do. It gets a little complicated with small children. Cruises are fantastic!
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We try to travel once a year with the kids.
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I, too, love to travel! I was just thinking I am ready for another adventure!
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Yay! I’m so glad you’ve let the travel bug bite. There’s so much world to explore. I have had some amazing excursions recently, and they are definitely life-changing.
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Your gorgeous images have me itching to do more traveling!
Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting recently posted..End of Summer Fun
I always dread the actual travel part of traveling but it makes it all worth it when you visit an amazing new place.
I love to travel. I wish I could just sell everything I own and travel all the time!
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I was so blessed to be able to travel internationally as a child and young adult. I’ve seen many parts of the world that most people only encounter on National Geographic. That love of travel instilled at a young age, we passed on to our daughter, and again, she has been able to see and do things that most people only dream about. I’m so glad I’ve been able to go the places I’ve been. It has one see live from an entirely different perspective.
Tammy Litke (@threedifferent) recently posted..Brad Paisley + The Kraft Great American Bacon Cheeseburger
I’ve realized that I love to travel too. I just don’t get to as often as I’d like. I guess that’s sort of what I push harder and work harder for, so that we all can experience the world!
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I love to travel, but its quite expensive, but your 20’s is probably the best time to travel.
I think I’m doing a little of both, if I’m honest. I go in phases because living is exhausting! So then I take lots of naps and do some existing. 😉
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Okay…no I must plan a vacay. Been way to long.
My husband and I love traveling (so do our kids :)), but we’ve had to put it aside. We keep saying someday when our kids are older and that’s in only a few years so we are close! I’m glad you are traveling and trying new things. On a side note I love those two quotes.
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It’s great that your step-dad instilled a love of travel in you from a young age and that you’ve been able to continue doing it. I’m sorry to hear he’s not able to travel as much any more though.
TerriAnn @ Cookies & Clogs recently posted..How to Train Your Dragon Games for Kids + Win a Trip to L.A.
I’m always hitching to travel especially now that I have a family, the joy of experiencing different culture with my family is all the more fulfilling.
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Traveling isn’t something I’ve had the opportunity to do much, but I’m hoping one day when my husband and I retire, to do a whole lot more of it.
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I haven’t been able to travel the past few months as I’ve been really sick but hopefully one day I’ll be able to travel again.
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Most of our travels have all been inside our state. I would love to travel more of the states though.
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I made the decision to not wait and to get out and explore the world around me a few years ago. Now, the boys and I travel about a third of the year, and have had some amazing experiences. Just today I rode the tallest water slide in the world and did a ride along with a Nascar driver. Tomorrow I am going zip lining. Live is indeed too short!
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I love how passionate you are about traveling. We never really traveled as kids, I think it would be fun to go and see new places and try new things!
I wish everyone would make traveling a priority. It’s so important to see the world!