Many paths have been taken by man as a journey of self-discovery. Some
choose to meditate alone in a cave for years, whilst others set off
sailing out to the vast blue ocean, coming face-to-face with raging
storms and turbulent waves.
Surely at one point or another we’ve sat to ponder about who we are,
our existence and our purpose. If you recall back your own answers to
these questions, you’ll notice as I did that the answers turn out
different each time.
Though I may never be as brave and gutsy to sail the seas or
withdraw into a cold & damp cave, let me dare say that travelling
alone is my way of a self-discovery journey.
Faced with strange faces, incomprehensible language and culture
shock, we are forced to draw out some survival instincts. No friends to
offer an opinion, no partner to provide reassurance on your decisions.
Your decisions are your sole responsibility. It is then when you have
to trust yourself. And perhaps thats why I trust myself more than ever
before.
Next, how on earth are you going to let the next whole week pass by
alone? All 168 hours. Most often our clearest thoughts arise, not in a
haste, but through extensive questioning and debating within our minds.
It is amusing how much clarity we gain just by being alone, having a
conversation with yourself. This effect is further compounded when we
are plucked out of our familiar surroundings and people.
By travelling alone, you become a piece of puzzle in this
magnificiently huge world of jigsaw. Seeing towering structures built
by man, achingly beautiful paintings and seeing diversity in everyday
people must make us very proud of our humankind. More importantly, yet
in subtle manner, we are implanted a seed of inspiration. An
empowerment from within us to rise up to even greater heights, to push
our abilities over unimaginable boundaries. Because now, others have
shown us the way, their journeys, their monuments, stand as a testament
to a once before seed planted within themselves.
And this is what we should keep treasured forever, a memory that may
serve its purpose one day in our future, for our own journey towards
more enriching and satisfying days ahead.
To my dear friend, who is now embarking on this journey across
Europe, my hats off to you for such courage and determination to be
inspired and to see it through!
