Journeys of a Different Kind

Modern society is defined by mobility, and most of us find ourselves travelling to new destinations, commuting to and from daily stopping points and exploring our world with consummate ease. Even our technology has become irrevocably tied to the idea of constant physical mobility, and compact devices that can be carried along with us on the journey hold a higher level of utility and value than ones that cannot.

With this constant and unstoppable movement, the temptation to stay on the go can be overwhelming at times – and with good reason. With so much to see, absorb, experience and savor, the world around us should be discovered anew on a daily basis.

When Plans Don’t Work Out

However, every so often even the best-laid plans can go awry and our ability to hop on a plane in a heartbeat is curbed. Perhaps that raise you expected never came, perhaps with the last-minute demand you were unexpectedly priced out of that train ticket or accommodation in your favorite city. A sudden bout of the flu might put you out for the count, or technical problems may have literally left you grounded on the runway.

Whatever the case, when you find yourself unable to travel due to unforeseen circumstances – but your wanderlust remains unquenched – you can still explore a boundless source of knowledge and discovery: yourself.

Embarking on a personal journey can often be just as satisfying as taking off on a grand adventure or touching down in a new town. Unexpected detours can often provide the perfect opportunity to slow down and soak in the small moments that make life meaningful. It’s not just time to read that new book collecting dust on your shelf or watch a film you’ve not had time to see: see the sudden loss of velocity and trapped energy as the perfect context in which to expand your perspective and raise your consciousness, process your emotional state and literally regain the focus that the turbulence of modern life can erase.

The following two stories encapsulate this concept; although they may seem at odds – a footballing superstar and a retired housewife living in Kent – they serve to show how people from literally all walks of life can set remarkable examples on their personal journeys of introspection and self-improvement.

Raise the Bar

When you find yourself feeling “stuck” at home, the sense of boredom can cast a cloud over the entire day. After all, when you expected to be out and about, sitting on the couch with nothing to do offers a jarring change of pace. But you always have something to do, even if that something isn’t so obvious at the moment. Skills need to be sharpened, and new lessons must be learned, so why not turn your lack of travel into an opportunity for self-improvement?

During his truly memorable 18-year career on the pitch, Brazilian soccer superstar Ronaldo Nazario (simply known as Ronaldo to friends and fans alike) travelled the world many times over. While playing professionally in Spain and Italy, as well as representing his beloved Brazil in international tournaments, Ronaldo lived the jet-set lifestyle for nearly two decades.

He retired from the game in 2011, but rather than revert to a sedentary lifestyle or rest on his proverbial laurels, Ronaldo continued to raise the bar by joining Brazilian soccer legend Neymar Jr. in a playful showcasing of their incredible skill set. As part of the pair’s sports-themed but poker-inspired #raiseit campaign, Ronaldo and Neymar Jr continually challenge one another via social media videos, performing athletic feats and well-thought out tricks to see who has the best moves. Even during his retirement phase, Ronaldo remains intent on improving his abilities and adding new ones to the mix, while giving the younger football star a run for his money. And all the while, fans and supporters are joining in on the action, learning new skills and showing off their own specialties to try and outdo the best of the best.

Dedicating Time to Overcoming Challenges

Without ever knowing why or how, 40-year old Wendy Southgate, a homemaker living in Kent, England, suddenly found herself crippled by an overwhelming fear of flying. Unlike most people who suffer from aviophobia, or an intense fear of flying in airplanes or other airborne vehicles, Southgate had previously taken to the skies without a problem.

But as detailed in an illuminating Daily Mail profile, Southgate’s quality of life suffered immensely for 14 years, as she struggled to cope with the limitations brought on by her phobia. Motivated by the recent passing of her husband and a desire to return to Spain where the couple first met, Southgate committed herself to taking a course designed to remove the fear of flying once and for all.

Rather than taking an actual plane journey, she took a day course with a professional pilot, asking questions about the way planes work and what certain movements of the plane during takeoff and landing are actually caused by. Simply through having her questions answered, Southgate eased herself away from the fearful thoughts – to the extent that she felt ready to take to the skies again. “When it came to the actual flight, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I couldn’t believe I had been so terrified for so long and how it had affected our lives,” Southgate explained.
Every change of travel plans can be perceived as a chance to take another journey, one that allows you to explore from within. Whether you choose to learn a new talent, improve your existing skills, or finally conquer your fears, these personal journeys can be just as meaningful, and often, even more so, than a simple road trip. We all savor the experience of visiting new places and seeing new sights, but sometimes the most successful journey of all leaves you seeing a brand-new side of you.

Resources & Sources:

• #raiseit campaign
• Daily Mail – Overcoming Fear
• Reliable Plant – Why Strategic Plants Don’t Work
• Featured image source