Greetings to you from Portland, Oregon! I am in the middle of a week-long road trip with my very good friend, Shelley, and we are visiting the beautiful Pacific Northwest! So it may come as no surprise when I say that today's post is inspired by my current vacation!
Have you ever noticed that you act just slightly different when you travel?! You may find yourself smiling more, being a little more chatty, patient, adventurous, etc. Well I definitely notice that I am a slightly different person when I travel. There is something about breaking out of our monotonous lives for a getaway, that breaks me out of a shell I didn't know I had! Prior to this roadtrip, I found myself in something of a rut. I wasn't miserable per se, but I was definitely having feelings of boredom and dissatisfaction in my daily life. Work was just there, I had my daily routine and just basically going on "auto pilot". I always recall this quote from the Tyler Perry movie "The house that preys", where one of the characters poses the question, "are you living? Or are you existing?" Well at this point, I was definitely just existing. By the way, I have this quote up on a quote board in my room and it's great to check in with from time to time. When I want to be a little more reflective, I will read this quote and do a sort of check-in with myself to see where I'm at and gauge my satisfaction level with life.
Anyway back to this travel thing. So Shelley and I have been great friends since grad school (about 5 years ago), and we decided we both needed a getaway. Rather than spend money flying somewhere, we decided to drive up to Portland since neither of us had been (I had gone for a conference back in college but didn't remember anything about the city since I was stuck inside most of the time).
Since being on the road, and making our various stops, I've noticed these feelings of happiness and joy come over me. Seeing the beautiful (and not so beautiful sights), has filled me with awe and satisfaction. When we do stop, I'm finding that I am cheerful and less hesitant to chat with locals (something I seldom do at home). And more than anything, I am enjoying the time I am spending with a dear friend. Times like these are precious and it makes me wish I could bottle this stuff up for those days when life just doesn't seem all that exciting.
Is it a coincidence that I am feeling all of these positive feelings and experiences?! Absolutely not! For one, I do not believe in coincidences, and secondly, many will attest to the wonderful effects that travel can have on a person! It isn't just about getting out of the monotony of our lives that makes travel so important (and truly necessary). It is the opening of our eyes to a world outside of our own that makes travel truly special, unique, and so beautiful. Even though I am traveling within the U.S., I have been exposed and connected to different environments, different people, and a different culture. And THAT is what travel is all about.
Next time, you get the opportunity to travel, even if it is for a weekend trip to the neighboring city, or a new place in a different part of town you've never been to, I highly encourage you to consider the many wonderful benefits (and fulfillment) it may bring to your life!
For now, here is a pic that was snapped today, from Netarts Bay, Oregon as we closed the book on an awesome day in the beautiful Pacific Northwest!
Until next time!
Monica :)
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