The Voyage of Travel and Self Discovery

Note: This was written a few days before I left California on a round the world trip in 2010. I like to leave it here because I know a lot of you are visiting this page because you’re in the planning stages, the courage gathering stage, the inspirational stage. Be inspired, be courageous, and most of all: TRAVEL.

Granada, Spain

It really is the simple things in life. getting stuck in traffic, shaving nicks, waiting for the coffee to finish… these are all things I know I will miss; seems strange, I know. Looking at the gorgeous Central Coast landscape makes my heart sing, and yet, I am prompted to leave it behind. In search of something I think, I hope, I know will be better.

The trouble with knowing what you want is that you can’t ignore it once you have acknowledged it.

Your body aches for it, your heart yearns, and your mind cannot be trained to think otherwise. You have to give in to this desire, this dream (crazy though it may be) and put all your fears, doubts, and reason aside for this off chance that you might get exactly what you need and long for.

When Ron Donati asked me exactly how long I planned to be on the road, instead of giving him my canned answer (which is always at the ready) I took a second to think. A stupidly large smile came over my face and I said the truth before I knew I was thinking it. “Until I wake up one day and it’s not what I want to do”.  It’s as simple as that.

When I wake up in the morning, and I know I have to go to work and yet every bone in my body tells me to put on my pack and see what else there is waiting for me.

More, More, More. I always want more. I want more than you give me, I want more than I give myself, I want more from everyone, everything, even this earth.

Maybe one day I will wake up and decide I have had enough, and I will start a new chapter of my book.
But until that day, I am not putting my dreams on hold. Not for anyone, for anything.
Money, careers, bills, wine, and those I love will all be here when (and if) I return.

At the end of my life, I have to answer to me, and not to anyone else.

If I can’t fall asleep at night knowing I am doing something that makes me happy, then I am not true to myself or living the best life I can live.

Friends, you all have your own dreams and paths you have to follow.

I wish for each of you to feel as certain of your way and the burning desire to wake up and start tomorrow as you lay in bed that I feel.

I so deeply appreciate your support, love, and well wishes that have been sent my way.
Know that the memories I have are the fuel I will burn when I am weary of the road.