You Can Do It Too!

“I would rather own little and see the world than own the world and see little of it” – Unknown

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The Sunset In Hawai’i Never Gets Old!

I came across this quote today while I was sitting on the bus after volunteering at a perma-culture farm on the Pupukea hilltop on Oahu’s north shore. My thoughts ran free for a few minutes, as I reflected on my last few years or travel. (I will be writing a  post dedicated to my farm, because it seriously is Heaven on Earth!)

When I tell people about the travels that I have done, and future travel plans that I have, I often get the response “You are SO lucky!”. This statement could not be more true. I am so lucky! The luckiest! So lucky to have a wonderful family and wonderful friends who support my dreams and entertain my visions. I couldn’t be luckier to have my health, lucky to have been born in a country where it is so easy to travel, and lucky for amazing work opportunities that have enabled me to make these trips happen! I cannot even express with words how lucky I truly feel!

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Some Of The Beautiful Support In My Life

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What luck has not brought me is a tree with one hundred dollar bills for leaves, a trust fund in my name, or a winning lottery ticket. While I am so fortunate for the most amazing support system, I did not wake up one day with funding for all of the adventures that I have been on, and for the adventures that my future holds. In reality, what I have are massive amounts of student loans, a degree in Liberal Arts, and a desire to do more than work my life away. Although I am so lucky to have been to so many places and to have had such amazing experiences, luck, although essential, is not the only puzzle piece that has made these dreams become reality. In so many instances, I choose travel over other things. Maybe if I traveled less, I could have a really sweet car instead of an old beater! Or maybe I could have a gym membership. I probably could have shopped more, and tried new restaurants every weekend with yummy food and fancy cocktails. It is safe to say my choice is clear.

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Le Mont St Michelle

Many people who I have talked to seem shocked, skeptical, confused and excited when they learn about my travel bug and where it takes me. It seems that many people desire to have similar experiences, or wish that they made it happen when they were my age. People often point to money as the main factor holding them back from doing such things… I guess what I am getting at is.. I really believe, if this is what you want, you can do it too! Money should not be the largest driving factor! Especially if you are young, healthy and have a desire to explore! There are so many alternative ways to travel that make it much MUCH  m u c h more affordable to do so. Not to mention.. when you take the path less traveled true adventure is found! It is not always going to be glamorous, but is true life really glamorous? That’s for you to decide…

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Yes, I Slept In This TeePee

Maybe adventure will take you to an ancient vineyard in Italy where you stomp on grapes with your bear feet. Maybe adventure will take you to the cutest French town and introduce you to the nicest French hosts you have ever met. Maybe adventure will even take you to a teepee in the depths of the Austrian Alps… Who even knows how adventure will present itself to you. But that is the beauty of it!

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As I sit here on a beach in Hawai’i, looking at my bank account while eating a mango I picked at the farm, I reflect on this quote and what it means to me.

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Kolea Farms, Pupukea, O’ahu, Hawai’i

If you ever want to chat in more detail about the trips I have taken and some of the ways I have made them work with my life, let me know! I am happy to share! 🙂

What are your thoughts on this? I would love to know! xx

 

7 thoughts on “You Can Do It Too!”

  1. Seeing you have the amazing adventures you have had,the people you have met the food you have eaten and cooked, the places you have been…etc,has been a great joy. You continue to impress me with your travels and your resolve to “do it”. I was talking about you and your travels to four of my Italy students this evening. The message was to take the chances and the time now, when they can and not worry about paying for it or where they will be in 5 years. Your outlook demonstrates that if we are caring, concerned individuals with the desire to experience as much of life that we can, when we can, we should “do it”. One never knows the future but if you take the time to “experience” as you have been doing, the rewards are far more beneficial than any amount of material gain. Continue to be yourself, to explore and experience, I don’t have to tell you how important that is!!

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    1. Bonjourno Marc! Thank you so much for your kind words! I hope that you are having an awesome adventure in Florence! If any of your students ever want to chat you can give them my contact! Thank you for reading and for sharing your thoughts with me! 🙂

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  2. I absolutely LOVE this post and truly reflect the person you are. Never look back, and here is another quote: “Change is the only constant in life”. I hope many people read this blog and get inspired to follow their dreams.

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  3. This may be my favorite post of yours yet! I love hearing your thoughts. I couldn’t agree more about making the financial sacrifices necessary to afford your travel dreams! 🙂

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