We’d like to introduce one of our professional planners as the author of this post. Sharon has been traveling since childhood. That experience translated into a lifelong love of travel and all the rewards it bestows on those who wander.
There is no question that travel is one of the most abundant gifts you can give yourself. Better than a new car. Better than a mortgage. Better than fancy jewelry or a garage full of do-dads you never use, travel forms you. It transforms your outlook concerning people, the state of the world and the American culture we live in. As the introduction reveals, I began traveling as a child. My parents were avid travelers, so by the time I was 13, I’d been to 5 European nations, 3 Middle Eastern ones, Mexico, Costa Rica, Canada and just about any state in the USA you can name. That early experience not only never left me, it created in me a need to see as much of the world as I could. Because I’d traveled at an early age, I learned things it takes most people an entire life to learn by the time I was a teen. But the most important thing I learned is that the world is not the frightening place many are convinced it is. It’s an amazing smorgasbord that feeds the intellect and the soul. And while you’re out there, you’ll discover food you’ll be dreaming about for the rest of your life – so your body’s well fed by travel, too.
I don’t drive a car. I use public transit. I don’t own my own home. I rent. I live relatively simply. Why? Because I’d much rather spend the money I earn on experiences which feed me. Sure, I could choose to take on a mortgage and car payment. I could buy myself designer this and that. But at the end of the day, I’ve decided that travel is the investment that never stops paying dividends. Here’s why.
We all see the world through our unique cultural lenses. My lens is informed by my global travels. It’s never occurred to me to be afraid of somebody because of where they’re from, what they look like or the type of clothing they wear. I’ve learned that every type of person on the earth has similar dreams and goals. There’s good and bad everywhere but in my experience, the good far outweighs the bad. I take that knowledge with me to work every day. I take it on the bus, to the grocery store and to the gym. It’s knowledge which has made my life richer with the presence of amazing people I might not have known had my lens not been informed by travel. It’s too often the case that we see the world through the lens of a breathless media that must sell advertising to survive. Travel clears that foggy lens, allowing you to see the world as it is. Ready to invest? Contact us!
