Collect Experiences, Not Things
A new car, an even bigger house than your last, the latest smartphone, and handbags that cost more than most people’s monthly salary; most of us enjoy the feeling that new and expensive things bring. The more we earn, the more we end up spending, and buying newer and more lavish things to surround ourselves with; to give us the illusion that the more fancy things we have, the better we would look and feel.
What about what really does count in life? What about travelling and new experiences? What about creating memories that last a lifetime?
Most people have lost track of what is truly important, and lost their way in finding happiness in things they buy.
The beauty of experiences, however, is that they do not falter. They won’t age, they won’t stop working, and they won’t have to be replaced. The second a memory crosses your mind, it will feel as good as the day you experienced it.
There are many experiences that can surpass what you may feel spending money to buy something that will eventually deteriorate. One such experience is travelling. Seeing new places, experiencing new cultures, tasting different cuisines can add great pleasure to one’s life.
It will also build strength in character and teach the value of memories over things. It will instil in one what is most important in life.
If you are choosing to travel, do so as a traveller, not a tourist. Tourists see for a moment, take a picture or two and hurriedly scuttle away behind their tour guide on to the next monument. They will stay at a luxurious hotel, and wouldn’t even know if they are in a different country if it wasn’t for windows. They will eats their usual breakfast in the international buffet of the hotel’s restaurant and hurriedly get ready for the next tour destination.
A traveller, on the other hand, will immerse themselves in the country they are visiting. They will eat street food, stay in a modest yet practical accommodation, walk miles and miles to see the sights and sounds, and will not bother with a tour bus. They will walk inside monuments, stare up at arches, and wonder what the kings of days past would have seen when they looked up at their greatness.
Of course, a traveller is not in any way less cautious than a tourist. They too will have to have the right documents, get the necessary injection for travelling, and adhere to local laws. However, they will use their access to the country as a way in which to create experiences that last a lifetime, and not just pictures to put up on their Facebook page. Check this out for more information about travel vaccination.
At the end of the day, it is important to travel smart. Get your necessary travel vaccination; pack the least amount of clothing as possible; leave your laptop and multiple electronic devices at home; see with your eyes and not through your camera lens; touch, feel, and gaze in awe at the marvels of yesteryear; taste the flavors of gastronomy in this new part of the world; travel to see, and not to brag about it.
Make memories that you can share one day with your grandchildren. Travel to enrich your own life, and not to make others jealous.