Photo by © Brandon Elijah Scott This journal entry was originally published as "A travel manifesto: Journey to evolution" in September 2013 on my old travel site, Eye & Pen. I've touched up the flow a tad. I hope you enjoy.
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Through my years of traveling the world, I’ve learned countless lessons and recognized numerous themes that connect all human beings, no matter the country or culture. I’ve found there are certain inherent tendencies and characteristics that most people have in common, like that of good will towards others. While western societies have shown to separate communities by the development of social tiers and inequality, and for the fear of security, I’ve witnessed firsthand more times than I can count (or remember now) that most people of this world, no matter their origin or belief, are generally good.
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Through my years of traveling the world, I’ve learned countless lessons and recognized numerous themes that connect all human beings, no matter the country or culture. I’ve found there are certain inherent tendencies and characteristics that most people have in common, like that of good will towards others. While western societies have shown to separate communities by the development of social tiers and inequality, and for the fear of security, I’ve witnessed firsthand more times than I can count (or remember now) that most people of this world, no matter their origin or belief, are generally good.
When I was a travel writer, I used to be asked all sorts of questions from travelers, and some of the more saddening queries I used to receive were ‘how can you travel safely?’ and ‘aren’t you scared of the people there?’ – when in all actuality, the people make the place, they’re the reason I travel, and where I had the most memorable and profound life-changing experiences of my life.
I’m from the United States, and as (I’m sure) you know, Americans are force fed insecurities and are taught to fear from a very young age. What that does is separate us from our natural instincts of humility. And it makes us become disenchanted – why else do we treat life on our precious planet the way we do. We automatically learn what’s mine is mine, and I must shelter what is mine; and I must look out for myself, my family, while steering clear of all others, as it’s the only way to maintain a comfortable, secure life. But the world is not meant to be divided into billions of pieces, with manmade borders, where the lifestyles of the many are dedicated to the belief: to each their own. This earth is meant to be lived on together and shared with one another, not only Americans, or the super wealthy... One world. Fear enslaves humans and promotes a divided line between all people. This tears apart the beauty and the connection of the community, and hinders our evolution.
At first, traveling the world can seem scary – and sure, scary things can happen to you abroad, but awful experiences happen at home too. But by never letting fear guide your life, or your goals, your dreams, you will find there’s something more out there worth finding; a life worth living. If you do let fear dictate your life, you may never truly experience what it is to be human, all of the beauties and emotions, and all this world has to offer. What if you never knew the true beauty of living, breathing, fucking life? And if you never understand true suffering, how can you fully experience and appreciate things like love, intimacy, and compassion? For knowing true suffering is the key, for without which, one can never unlock the knowledge and the ability of gratefulness toward the blessing of life and the momentous meaning each breath means.
“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams...” ―Paulo Coelho.
Travel is experience, it's memories, it's an education, and as much as I love traveling abroad, traveling inward can equally yield life-changing results. Travel lets you see the good, and the bad; it lets you step out of your comfort zone and it opens you up; it lets you ditch all judgements and insecurities, and it guides you in growth and understanding; it lets you appreciate each morsel and every experience, giving you the robust tastes of life, and it bleeds your heart for the suffering of others. Without the experiences of the world, and the exploration of the inner-self, life becomes stale, stagnant and stereotypical; and this is how hate is promoted, and how bigotry is passed through generations, rather than becoming a product of the new evolution. Cultivation of understanding and acceptance breeds compassion. And the graduation of singular thinking to global thinking is our next evolution. Imagine a world of peace, of harmony with all living things, and of love and intimacy, between all people. It is possible.
The world needs you to expand your consciousness and to embrace the unfamiliar to evolve, because it is is impossible for humanity to survive without the understanding and acceptance of other cultures, people and places. The act of keeping closed eyes hinders us from developing a better world.
I’m from the United States, and as (I’m sure) you know, Americans are force fed insecurities and are taught to fear from a very young age. What that does is separate us from our natural instincts of humility. And it makes us become disenchanted – why else do we treat life on our precious planet the way we do. We automatically learn what’s mine is mine, and I must shelter what is mine; and I must look out for myself, my family, while steering clear of all others, as it’s the only way to maintain a comfortable, secure life. But the world is not meant to be divided into billions of pieces, with manmade borders, where the lifestyles of the many are dedicated to the belief: to each their own. This earth is meant to be lived on together and shared with one another, not only Americans, or the super wealthy... One world. Fear enslaves humans and promotes a divided line between all people. This tears apart the beauty and the connection of the community, and hinders our evolution.
At first, traveling the world can seem scary – and sure, scary things can happen to you abroad, but awful experiences happen at home too. But by never letting fear guide your life, or your goals, your dreams, you will find there’s something more out there worth finding; a life worth living. If you do let fear dictate your life, you may never truly experience what it is to be human, all of the beauties and emotions, and all this world has to offer. What if you never knew the true beauty of living, breathing, fucking life? And if you never understand true suffering, how can you fully experience and appreciate things like love, intimacy, and compassion? For knowing true suffering is the key, for without which, one can never unlock the knowledge and the ability of gratefulness toward the blessing of life and the momentous meaning each breath means.
“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams...” ―Paulo Coelho.
Travel is experience, it's memories, it's an education, and as much as I love traveling abroad, traveling inward can equally yield life-changing results. Travel lets you see the good, and the bad; it lets you step out of your comfort zone and it opens you up; it lets you ditch all judgements and insecurities, and it guides you in growth and understanding; it lets you appreciate each morsel and every experience, giving you the robust tastes of life, and it bleeds your heart for the suffering of others. Without the experiences of the world, and the exploration of the inner-self, life becomes stale, stagnant and stereotypical; and this is how hate is promoted, and how bigotry is passed through generations, rather than becoming a product of the new evolution. Cultivation of understanding and acceptance breeds compassion. And the graduation of singular thinking to global thinking is our next evolution. Imagine a world of peace, of harmony with all living things, and of love and intimacy, between all people. It is possible.
The world needs you to expand your consciousness and to embrace the unfamiliar to evolve, because it is is impossible for humanity to survive without the understanding and acceptance of other cultures, people and places. The act of keeping closed eyes hinders us from developing a better world.
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