Many people who crosses paths with me on my travels, ask me this question. Why do I travel? But how do I answer it? It’s involves more than words. It involves feeling, emotion, passion and much more. How do I explain it to someone who’s giving me a quick ride or the person I run into on the street? Even when I try, they usually nod their heads in agreement but I can see that they do not even grasp the concept behind my travels.
I can just go ahead right now and quote the dozens of people who inspired me to do what I do but let me rather try to explain it with my personal unique twist to it.
The way I see it, life is about experiences. I try to measure my life in that way. I’m not rich in the conventional way and I do not own much, but I am rich in experiences. Why do we live? Certainly not to make money and collect a bunch of things, no, I believe that each of us exist for the sole purpose of making a difference in the world around us. Whether it’s a good or a bad difference, it doesn’t matter. It’s irrelevant in this context. If you could leave the world a different place purely because you existed, then you will have succeeded in life.
By getting a job, doing the same thing over and over again day in and day out. You are wasting your time on things that seperates you from your purpose of making a difference. I said that I measure my life in experiences. I feel that each experience I gain is a step towards making a difference in the world or in someone’s life. I know that every single one of them has made a difference in mine.
There are so much more to life than your boring job and routine. The world is a wilderness of knowledge, wisdom, culture and experiences. You can have all of this and more if you just stop being afraid. You can make a difference. I know this sounds like a cliche but you only live once right. In the end, your experiences will be more valuable to you and the people around you than money or things could ever be.
I know it’s easy to have a job and a home and money. I’ve been there, and yes, it is easy and comfortable. But the magic tends to happen way outside of your comfort zone. I have done my fair share of traveling and truth be told, it is not easy at all sometimes. It’s not always fun. When you are alone in the middle of a strange city where no one speaks a word of English without any money and you have no idea what you will eat tonight or where you will sleep. That is honestly no fun at all. It’s quite frightening. This happened to me in Maputo, Mozambique. I ended up sleeping on the backseat of a university bus and I didn’t eat for two days. But in the end it was worth it because it was an experience I gained. An experience I can tell you about.
By breaking out of your comfort zone, you break into true living. See the world, experience life, meet people, pursue your dreams and make a difference. Life’s too short to sit around and wait. Go out there and make the magic happen. Even when it is not easy. People will help you through it. There are 7 billion good people out there in the world. You are not alone…
Stephan Roelofse Travels 