Searching for Rainbows
We can wait for storms to pass, or search for rainbows. The difference between the two depends on your attitude and ambition. I'm the type to search for rainbows, even though waiting for the storm to pass seems like it would be relaxing sometimes. Most people, myself included, didn't expect for me to encounter storms during my travels. I'm in the middle of one of the most beautiful places on the planet, what could possibly go wrong? Truthfully, a lot.
Traveling to find yourself isn't always as "Eat, Pray, Love-esque" as it is in books and movies. In fact, that specific journey required a lot of money on the front-end because she didn't work at all while traveling. Most of us don't have that luxury. Specifically speaking, me. Granted, I wasn't expecting that when I came to Australia. Well, not the love part anyway. I knew I wanted to pray and we all have to eat, but you get the picture. It's very common for people to draw interest in traveling from books, movies, and blogs. It's the only way that we can easily escape our lives from the comfort of our own homes (or offices if you dare). I was in love with Elizabeth Gilbert's book when it first came out, and even more so when my life started to follow a similar pattern: I'm getting divorced, needed a break from my job, wanted a pulse, and to marvel at the world. So if I had to title my "spin-off" adventure it would be, Meet, Write, Be.
I long to meet people and visit places that I've never experienced before. I know that's the definition of wanderlust, but one syllable words are catchier for a title. Hence, the next word. Write. Writing makes me happier than anything else in this world. I write when I'm happy. I write when I'm sad. I want to share stories with world. They don't even have to be my stories. In fact, I'd love to write for charities to help them gain the attention they need for funding, volunteers, etc. I want to make a difference in this beautiful world that we live in. Lastly, I want to learn to just be. My whole entire life, I've always been doing something: sports, clubs, events, classes, seminars, projects. I don't know how to stop and just be.
I've recently learned through meditation classes that taking a hot bath, reading a book, writing on my blog, or sketching isn't being still. They are merely activities that bring me quiet pleasure or relaxation. Not one of them are truly quieting my mind and allowing me to listen. So, I'm working on all of my words, my purpose in life right now, and sharing them with the world as I'd intended. As difficult as it is to admit, focusing on myself is a foreign concept to me, but I'm gaining a little more strength to dig deeper each day. I'll never stop searching for rainbows, I've just only discovered that sometimes you have to search within.