Travelling and taking a vacation is not the same. After all do great explorers set out on a vacation? Time for rest and relaxation is important but engaging in the adventure to explore the world myself has shaped me and helped me to understand God as the creator of all and His plan for me. Reading adventure books about travel as a young child from authors like South African writer Wilbur Smith inspired me early in life with the desire to explore. You too should take the time to see, smell hear and touch the fullness of life when you can. Travelling is setting out on an adventure to explore.

Jesus himself spoke these words of wisdom …

 

“When you were younger you went where you wanted; but when you are old someone else will lead you were you do not want to go.”

John 21:18

 

There are many I meet who wonder about travelling and seeing more…..firsthand. My advice is – GO! No excuses! It will be one of the best things you’ll ever do. It will change your thinking and your life. Don’t buy into the excuse of thinking there is nothing new to explore and watching it on the IMAX while you munch on popcorn will do!

 

At any age you should travel.

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.

Saint Augustine

 

Years ago we traveled to third world countries in winter and lived their reality seeing how over 2.5Billion people live on $2 a day or less. For $20 a day we traveled well. With staff and children we still travel inexpensively to places most only dream of going. All for the same cost as a Disney vacation.
Starting with WHY! Here’s why:

1. Adventure: Research your top destinations. Read fiction and history about the place. Read travel books. Post pictures around you and sacrifice to make it happen.

 

2. Gratitude: No guilt just gratefulness for the opportunity.

 

3. Perspective: Step out of your comfort zone. Ride a 3^rd class train 36 hours in China at Chinese New Year with thousands of people. Eat street food. Touch the fabric of life. You’ll gain perspective and perhaps be inspired to serve God in a new place or new way!

 

4. Relationships: Hardship and adventure builds character. After my first trip with Diana; 3 months around 3 countries in the southern tip of Africa car camping, I knew she would make a lasting soul mate.

 

5. Experiences: Studies show people would rather spend money on experiences that create lasting memories than material things.

 

6. Compassion: traveling changes you like nothing else. Seeing the poor up close and personal – may inspire you to do something to change it.

 

7. Overcome fear: Once you’ve….. fill in the blank. Escaped a charging elephant or your car stalls in a game park outside Harare Zambia, gone inside a pyramid even though you’re claustrophobic, survive traveling through countries where you don’t speak the language, everything else in life seems much easier.

 

Don’t ever let money stand in the way of doing what you want to do. If there is a will there is a way. Save. Save. Save. Or as The Millionaire Next Door would say, “Frugal. Frugal. Frugal”.

 

Balance work and travel. Go every other year. Or take a year sabbatical. Do a home exchange. Serve as a guide or work as a volunteer and have your costs covered.

 

We all need inspiration to write a new story. At the end of your days you will have regrets. Don’t let living your dreams of adventure and travel be one of them.

 

You can do it. You have what it takes. You can figure out the rest. It is worth it.

 

Attitude            Humbly ponder if adventure travel is something you want to do?

 

Action                Figure out the next step to make it happen.

 

Question           Have you seen something firsthand and did it can change you?