So, will I take this writer's advice and travel the world without a penny to my name instead of spend thousands of dollars at graduate school? Well, only time will tell...
3 Reasons To Travel While You're Young
By Jeff Goins
The other night, I had a conversation with a young woman who had a number of decisions ahead of her, one of which was whether she should go to grad school or travel the world. I told her to travel. Hands down. No excuses. Just go. The results are well worth the cost.
She sighed. 'Yeah, but...'
Never were more fatal words spoken:
- 'Yeah, but... what about debt?'
- 'Yeah, but... what about my job?'
- 'Yeah, but... what about my boyfriend? Or dog? Or car?'
'Yeah, but...' is pernicious. Because it makes it sound like we have the best of intentions when really we are just too scared to do what we should. It allows us to be cowards, while sounding noble.
Most people I know who waited to travel the world never did. Conversely, plenty of people who waited for grad school or a steady job and traveled still did those things - eventually. Be careful of the yeah-but. The yeah-but will kill your dreams. [Tweet that]
I was so stirred by this conversation that I shared it with a group of 30 young adults last night, many who were asking these very same questions.
The life you've always wanted
When you get older, life seems to just sort of happen to you. Your youth is a time of total empowerment. You get to do what you want. But as you mature and gain new responsibilities, you have to be very intentional about making sure you don't lose sight of what's important.
So if you still have a reasonable amount of control over your circumstances, you should do what really matters. Because life won't always be just about you.
During early adulthood, your worldview is still being formed. It's important to steward this time - to give yourself opportunities to grow. A good way to do that is to travel.
So, young person, travel. Travel wide and far. Travel boldly. Travel with full abandon.
You will regret few risks you take when it comes to this. I promise you that. There are three reasons to travel while you are young:
1. Travel teaches you to live an adventure
When you look back on your life, you will have moments of which you are proud and maybe a few you regret. It's likely that the following won't be on the latter list:
- Bicycled across the Golden Gate Bridge
- Appeared on Italian TV
- Hiked a Mayan ruin
- Learned Spanish in three months
- Toured Europe by train
So what, then, will be? What choices will you regret making? Holding back. Being afraid. Making excuses. Not taking more risks. Waiting.
While you're young, you should travel. You should take the time to see the world and taste the fullness of life. It's worth whatever investment or money or sacrifice of time that may be required on your part. This is not about being a tourist. It's about experiencing true risk and adventure so you don't have to live in fear the rest of your life.
2. Traveling helps you encounter compassion
In your youth, you will make choices that will define you. The disciples you begin now will be with you for the rest of your life. Traveling will change you like no one else can. It will put you in places that will force you to care for issues that are bigger than you.
If you go to southeast Asia, you may encounter the slave trade. If eastern Europe, you may see the effects of genocide and religious persecution. If Haiti, you'll witness the ugly side of Western paternalism. Your heart will break.
You will begin to understand that the world is both a big and small place. You will have a new-found respect for the pain and suffering that over half of the world takes for granted on a daily basis. And you will feel more connected to your fellow human beings in a deep and lasting way. You will learn to care.
3. Traveling allows you to get some culture
While you're still young, you should get cultured. Get to know the world and the magnificent people that fill it. There's nothing quite like walking alongside the Colosseum or seeing Michaelangelo's David in person.
I can describe the city of San Juan and its amazing beaches and historic sights to you, but you really have to see it for yourself to experience it. You can read all the books in the world about the Great Wall of China or The Louvre, but being there is a different story.
The world is a stunning place, full of outstanding works of art. See it. Do this while you're still young. Do not squander the time. You will never have it again. You have a crucial opportunity to invest in the next season of your life now. Whatever you sow, you will eventually reap. Please. For your sake, do this. Because you won't always be so young. And life won't always be just about you.
So travel. Experience the world for all it's worth. Become a person of culture, adventure, and compassion.
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