Start With The Why.

Those four words have been a reoccurring question thats sporadicly flashed in my subconsciousness throughout these past several days.

Start With The Why.

It’s been interesting meticulously examining the answers that I’ve applied that mindset to in various sectors of my life:

Why I’m working at Google…Why I chose to move to Nor Cal….Why I enjoy talking with people….

But most recently, as I once again found myself at the checkout window of American Airlines, I couldn’t help but take a step back and ask…

Why I Love To Travel (so damn much) ?

And why is it important to truly understand, why I do?

The latter posed question is a bit easier to define. It’s start with purpose. By answering the Why’s to life’s’ more inquisitive questions, unfocused lenses become sharpened with direction and renewed motivation. It’s the steady compass that you fall back on when you are feeling lost, full of unanswered questions. Similarly, the inability to answer this notion of Why, can lead to frustration and confusion. Without a defined purpose of why, we become like statues, numb in our motivation and ambition in reaching our potential. So by defining and understanding Why I enjoy traveling so much, I hope that I will only fall deeper in love with this hobby and lifestyle of traveling.

Moving on.

When I posed this elementary, you-should-already-know this question of Why I Love To Travel so much, I was surprised (and slightly disappointed) at myself for not being able to immediately come up with a list of answers.

How was I not able to come up with just a few well thought out reasons on something I enjoyed and loved so much?

Have I been some fake dude who only traveled because it was the “thing” to do as a Twenty-something?

Thankfully, no. The truth is, I just never took the time and mental effort to take a step back and reflect. To just click PAUSE on life and examine deeply and genuinely on the WHY behind traveling.

In the past, I was just traveling cause I needed to. I spontaneously bought tickets and just DID IT. I was on the go, adrenaline flowing nonstop from departure to arrival gates. And it wasn’t until just recently, where I took a hot moment to just step back.

So after a few hours of thought, I was able to churn out from the factories of my heart and mind,

6 Reasons Why I Love To Travel

1. Because That’s Where My Favorite Stories To Share Are From 

Everyone loves a great story. It’s an instant attention-grabber that organically draws an audience. When little Albert pops out in the future (just a reference, I probably won’t name my son/daughter Albert…) I sincerely hope I have some fantastic tales from my travels to share with him/her. (Dumbed down of course for G -rated audience)

2. It’s A Fantastic Way To Connect With People

Not only do you meet some unbelievably fascinating people whilst on your trip, the ability to relate and connect with people back at home is also an added bonus. One of the easiest way to increase your own likeability is by sharing an experience, interest, or belief with another person. By traveling, I’ve been lucky to increase this pool of potentially relatable experiences, interests, or beliefs.

“Oh you’ve been to Nicaragua?!” Cool! Boom, friends.

“What are your thoughts about the tradition of haggis in Scotland?” It’s disgustingly awesome! Boom, friends.

3. To Gain A New Perspective 

…on the culture, the traditions, the values and to find the applicable themes back into our own lives in the US, and vice versa. In this Internet driven world, we’re lucky to learn about virtually ANY ethnicity/race/country/etc. we want with just a few keystrokes. But what we miss out on is that face-to-face, HUMAN interaction. That is irreplaceable.

By being present, you, along with the person you are interacting with, shed a few layers of vulnerability in faith that understanding and curiosity is exchanged in return.

4. It’s Makes Me A Better Person

What do I mean by better? Simply, an improvement of my self before I leave on an adventure. I’ve become more curious, more confident, and more appreciative each and every time I come back. And I know for a fact, that I will only continue to grow by stepping out of my comfort zone when I travel.

5. There’s No Better Hiding Place

I remember the first time I went to Disneyland when I was little dude. Disneyland’s magic got to my imagination and dreams and for a day, I felt like I was just, in a different place. This my friends, is how I feel when I travel. To just turn a blind eye towards reality and to let myself loose in a playground of the unknown.

This unexplored world is just a bigger Disneyland.

6. It’s The Ultimate Canvas To Showcase My Creativity

Photography, videos, writing. There’s no better outlet than embarking on an adventure to fresh and exciting new places to spark creativity. There’s a sweet naturalness to finding inspiration when one is thrown in an unfamiliar place, and I’m truly lucky to be equipped with the tools to capture those moments.

Start With The Why

I thought I’d end the blog with the same header as the beginning to really drive in this point. Whether it’s traveling, your career, your religion, your relationship, your hobbies, take a few moments to just ask the “why’s” behind the things you care and treasure the most. It’s might be scary and uncomfortable. But it’ll also be relieving, uplifting, and motivating, and absolutely rewarding.

I for one,  also have a ton I need to still figure out. But thankfully, with this post done, I have at least one department of my life figured out. (at least for now…)

Let me know what your thoughts are!

Always happy to chat.

Learning with you always,

AL