Travel the world through connections

Growing up, I remember observing others coming back from over seas and wondering what traveling the world was like. I found my answer is connection with others.

Connecting is a conscience choice we all can make. It isn’t just in the big moments. It is the small moments. The passing moments. The moments that are just filled with the breath of every day. Every act is a choice. Every olive branch extended is courage. Every stretch for understanding is heroism.

I remember when I was in elementary school - that’s primary school for a lot of you around the world - I noticed two classmates chatting to themselves. I always noted that one of them constantly made the other laugh. It didn’t matter that no one else was with them, everyone felt that joy coming out of their conversations. I watched it happen for weeks. I distinctly remembering telling myself “I wanna be funny too!”. I wanted to bring joy to a room just as much as these two did passively.

I remember hearing about my friend’s journeys to other countries and how they had such amazing experiences. I remember sharing my trips down to visit my family and how much I loved flying. These moments of seeing through someone else’s eyes.

As I grew older, I realized I wanted to travel differently than what I’ve seen and heard. I set objectives. I want to see friends. I wanna see flowers. I wanna get on trains. Boom. Everything else in between is bonus. And wouldn’t you know it, this framing has works so well because it leaves so much room to just be in the moment and potentially connect with those around. I made friends on a boat. I made friends with hotel staff. I made someone’s whole day after getting swag from a former coworker only to find out that this new person loved the products I used to work on and now they have this very exclusive item!

I challenge you to be a friend for the moment with people and travel their world - even for a few minutes - because it can change a life!