Puerta de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
There's something about being in a foreign country that's very cleansing. This thought takes me back to when I started traveling. The rush of excitement when taking that first step out of customs, the relief of stepping into the hotel, and the tightly wrapped package of anticipation of what I'm gonna do once I get there all reverberate the memories and experiences I've had.
I still remember when Dr Richmond informed me upon my return the first time in 2004 that I would go back to Madrid.
This summer marks the third time I've been there. Each time I find something new and each time I come back with less mental baggage than when I left. Madrid isn't mutually exclusive though. This occurs with every trip.
I think this is due in part to seeing how others live and interacting with the locals. It's the going to a restaurant and not being able to ask for a fountain drink. That's right, paying for each "refill". It's also being able to cross town in 15 minutes without a car and for two euros on the metro. It's also witnessing people sleeping in cardboard boxes on the street, giving money to living statues and talking to strangers whose path in life just happened to cross yours and making a connection with them that you wouldn't otherwise have done at home.
It's cleansing because we live in a world where we learn by experience and not moral concepts. Unfortunately, we obey pain, and until we can let go of our pride, jealousy, prejudice, and greed, we will continually have to 'cleanse' our minds of these notions through experiences. Assuming we're open to them.
This is why I travel. This is why I know it's important to get out of my comfort zone. It's a reminder that there's something bigger than my microcosm. One day, I will be gone, but the world will continue turning. Life is what's limited, not time, for after death there is only time. Don't waste it by being stuck in your prison of comfort. Get out there and break those barriers down and clean out those misconceptions. Share whatever you can with others. Only then will your life extend beyond death carried by the winds of time.
Funny, I started writing this post while in Madrid but couldn't finish it due to writers block. Clarity returned only once I came home. I guess sometimes we learn the lesson only after we are done.
I share by relating my experiences with others in hopes of inspiring others. It cleans me out and allows me to move on. I'd like to think I'm good at it. At least I'm trying.
What do you share? How do you cleanse?
This summer marks the third time I've been there. Each time I find something new and each time I come back with less mental baggage than when I left. Madrid isn't mutually exclusive though. This occurs with every trip.
I think this is due in part to seeing how others live and interacting with the locals. It's the going to a restaurant and not being able to ask for a fountain drink. That's right, paying for each "refill". It's also being able to cross town in 15 minutes without a car and for two euros on the metro. It's also witnessing people sleeping in cardboard boxes on the street, giving money to living statues and talking to strangers whose path in life just happened to cross yours and making a connection with them that you wouldn't otherwise have done at home.
It's cleansing because we live in a world where we learn by experience and not moral concepts. Unfortunately, we obey pain, and until we can let go of our pride, jealousy, prejudice, and greed, we will continually have to 'cleanse' our minds of these notions through experiences. Assuming we're open to them.
This is why I travel. This is why I know it's important to get out of my comfort zone. It's a reminder that there's something bigger than my microcosm. One day, I will be gone, but the world will continue turning. Life is what's limited, not time, for after death there is only time. Don't waste it by being stuck in your prison of comfort. Get out there and break those barriers down and clean out those misconceptions. Share whatever you can with others. Only then will your life extend beyond death carried by the winds of time.
Funny, I started writing this post while in Madrid but couldn't finish it due to writers block. Clarity returned only once I came home. I guess sometimes we learn the lesson only after we are done.
I share by relating my experiences with others in hopes of inspiring others. It cleans me out and allows me to move on. I'd like to think I'm good at it. At least I'm trying.
What do you share? How do you cleanse?
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