Why do I feel travel is the essence of life? Let’s start this discussion with a few questions. Sometimes it’s great to ponder over questions, whether you have the answers or not. Just having some fundamental questions to talk to oneself is a great way of educating the self; at least, I have felt it many a times.
What’s life? Is it bio-chemistry following a pattern of evolutionary processes, or is it a divine order? The answer depends on whether you believe in God or Science, or a bit of both. But whatever it is, doesn’t change the fact that we are here, and we will leave one day. Then why are we here?
What’s the essence of life? Is it engaging oneself in duties of the society, or devoting oneself to the almighty, or a bit of both? The answer depends again on your beliefs (shaped by experiences). Whatever it is, doesn’t change the fact that one needs to be happy, while keeping others happy.
So, what’s happiness? This is again subjective; depending on the answers one gives to the questions above. For me, the greatest source of happiness comes from my experiences. And my best experiences come from my travels. Thus, it’s natural for me to always feel that travel is the essence of life.
Indeed, travel is the essence of life
Why do I love travelling? Many people have asked me this question, and even I have often asked this question to myself. But honestly, I don’t have the answer. Have you ever found out the reason why you love something or, someone? I have never found out a reason for anything I love; I just love them. Same with travel. To me, it’s not a hobby, it’s not only a passion, and it’s not limited to be an experience. Travel is the essence of life.
What it really means to me...
Essentially, it means four things to me:
- Travel satiates my curious mind
- It dispels a lot of negative perceptions, and makes my thoughts broader
- Travel dissolves the ego
- It helps me narrate my story, and share my passion with the world.
Moreover, travel has great transformative effects. It makes me see the subtler sides of life- beauty, love and happiness. I choose four of my favorite quotes (below) to express my thoughts on the importance of travel to me. In the comments section, please share with me what travel means to you.
“The important thing is to never stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing”
- Albert Einstein
Curiosity:
I don’t have all the answers to my questions, but the process of discovery is highly satisfying. However, inquisitiveness was not the starting point for me.
Initially, I started travelling, not in search of something, rather because I just enjoyed seeing new places. Then I realized that I was curious of the world in general and life in particular.
Every time I traveled, I got excited to learn something new. Sometimes a bit of history, or anthropology, and at other times about cultures. And this started to grow on me. Slowly I started travelling to learn, to know more and more of what lied beyond me. And slowly, it became a passion.
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.”
- Mark Twain
Thoughts getting broader:
When we are stuck to one place, it’s just normal that we learn the customs, traditions and beliefs of the people of that place. Over a long period of time, this can build prejudices against other peoples and cultures. Reading is one way of breaking the prejudices and bigotry, but the scope is limited. Because reading enables us to know a bit more, but not to internalize.
Travel is the best antidote against prejudices and bigotry. When we meet new people, and experience new cultures, we understand them better. Sometimes, they can surprise us by their generosity. By interacting with them, we get to know the real meaning of things that we thought are not ‘good’. Our negative perceptions dissipate slowly, and our thoughts become broader.
“Travel makes one modest, you see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”
- Gustave Flaubert
Modesty:
Travel makes me realize how small I am in the scheme of the universe. Many a times, I have felt this way when I stand in front of a mountain, or a sea. This connotes that no ‘one’ individual controls the world; there is no point in pretending so. Travelling simply dissolves the ego away.
While traveling I have met with some gem of personalities who made me realize why there is no limit to ‘goodness’.
“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”
– Ibn Battuta
Story-telling:
Have you ever tried to tell your story? If no, try travelling.
I was initially too shy to tell people about myself and my stories. However, when I kept travelling more and more, I felt like sharing with others, and encourage them to experience the same. Now, I have done away with my inhibitions so much that I have this website to tell my story! The journey from relative reticence to being a story-teller has been enjoyable and full of excitement.
Moreover, now I proactively engage with fellow travelers and non-travelers as well. Because, I want everyone to do at least a little bit of traveling every year.
Travel transforms
Last but not the least, travel indeed has incredible transformative powers. Once you start travelling, you cannot remain the same person after a while. It can make you become several versions of yourself, and also become a better version of yourself in course of time. I love this one from Anita Desai- “Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow”. How true! When you thoroughly enjoy a place and internalize its essence, it becomes part of you.
Travel means many things to many people. Maybe at different times I have felt differently too. But as a whole, it gives me a sense of fulfilment. Sometimes, I feel like exploring the world is the purpose of my life. Seeing new places, experiencing various cultures and witnessing signs of times gone by, are the closest things to my heart.
Travel indeed is the essence of life
Moreover, travel makes you fall in love with subtle things of life- beauty, happiness and love. I want to see the colour of the sunset in different horizons. While the colour might look similar, the vistas are always different. I cannot find words to describe the happiness of waking up in a new place every morning. Once you realize the futility of money and material, you will fall in love with nature and people. That’s what travel does to you. One who travels regularly, can easily see why I say that travel is the essence of life.
For your reading pleasure, sharing with you an interesting article on why travel is important for mental growth and human happiness.
Travel consciousness:
While travel in general is important, taking care of the environment has become equally essential. Indiscriminate travel does lead to environmental pollution. So, we do promote “sustainable tourism” and the need for being conscious about one’s budgets. The more one spends indiscriminately, the more the harm is done to the environment. Thus, it’s always good to look for simple ways of enjoying, protecting the local environment, and promoting the local economy. To read more on these ideas, please look for our other posts on:
To conclude: yes, travel is the essence of life, but conscious travelling has to be at the core this philosophy.
If you have enjoyed reading this article, do share your thoughts with us. Let’s have some meaningful conversation. Because, one of the objectives of this site is to exchange ideas on travel, especially conscious travel.
Mani Kant Giri
After reading the post i got reminded of that bollywoood song filmed on Rajesh Khanna and Hema Malini and the song goes like : Jindagi ek safar hai suhana…and what can be a better metaphor to use for life anyway other than ‘journey’. And how this journey/travelling gives meaning to our life…very well written..keep writing
stampedmoments
Thanks Manikant for a lovely reply. Lemme know when you plan for Odisha. I can be your personal guide 😉
Soumen Chatterjee
It’s a wonderful read Travel is indeed an essence of life. Travel helps in gaining positive energy and thoughts. Travel trasforms life’s of people. We get to learn lot of things with respect to understanding and meeting people , understand nature and environment and from your blog it’s true that we have so many things we can learn from traveling. The blog have been described so beautifully that the people who don’t love travelling will now wants to travel. Out of words, would love to travel with u once.
stampedmoments
Thanks a lot, Soumen. Yes, you are right; travel transforms lives.
And yes, we will travel together soon.
Pinkle
This nice read was a good reminder to make way for travelling in this life resembling a traffic jam. The blog did compel me to think why I like to travel.
stampedmoments
Hi Pinkle. Always good to hear from you; your thoughts are refreshing.
Thanks a lot.
Sarita Rout
Very truly said – travel is the real essence of life. I always love visiting new places. Refreshing and re-energizing.
stampedmoments
Let’s travel more together.
Keep reading the blog posts 🙂