Return to what you know

Thomas Moore wrote, "he who travels best knows when to return." When Moore said this, I don't think he meant return to the familiar in terms of your old comfort zones and the exact mindset you had when you started. In fact, I think he had another idea in mind.

I sense this is a message about returning to the self we've always known deep down, but temporarily forgot or were afraid to embrace with unconditional acceptance.  Its a part of us that triggers joy, not only about being alive, but about every experience we have. 

You might ask yourself what happened to your appreciation for simplicity, for less, for a previous lifestyle you would prefer to revert back to.  Why don't you? External forces urge you to stick to an incompatible journey.  Get off this bus anytime you like.  

If we believe happpiness is a mindset for travel, not a destination, then we begin to recognize the infinte opportunities for education and experience.  Rest assured, you don't have to travel the world to uncover and develop deeper sides of yourself.

Some people believe they need foreign places in order to challenge themselves to recognize the familiar. If that's you, great.  Other people take life-changing journeys in their own backyard. Do what works for you. Just get there, where you really need to go.

Returning to what you know isn't about venturing abroad and eating only at McDonalds or staying only with relatives.  Its about rediscovering your innate courage, sense of adventure and abilities to understand and connect with others. 

Its about learning why all humans laugh, cry, love and learn what it means to die.  Travel enables you to encounter the strange and confusing, and sense its all familiar.  Its a journey you take to get back to yourself, that person whose essence you devalued and abandoned, but return to embrace.  You had to separate from your soul in order to truly understand what it means to to reconnect.

Comments

[Mark]

I love what you said here and your interpetation of Thomas Moore's words. You are so correct, he was talking about a return home, and that home is our true self, our spirit. Very good!

[Liara Covert]

Mark, you might say all human beings are at different stages of the same journey. We don't heave exactly the same talents, inclinations or experiences, but different methods exist to learn certain lessons. Some people sense they need to learn what they don't want to do, say or become before they actually figure out what feels right. Its all part of a meaningful process. I'm reminded of the eye-opening song, "Get Here" by Oleta Adams.

[Alexys Fairfield]

Oh Liara,
This is so wonderful. I love its layers. I know someone who loves to travel, but as soon as he gets to where he's going, he does the same thing he does at home, i.e., goes to restaurants, internet cafes, etc. I have always had a sense that he is running from himself. All he has to do is stop and listen to the world inside of him - that's all any of us have to do. It's a shame when people miss that opportunity to take the journey of Soul.

It's not where we go, it's not how, all that matters is that we go. Our destiny is waiting for us.

[Paul Martin]

It's a process for sure, and I know what you mean about how it involves a sense of returning to yourself.

[Liara Covert]

Alexys, we create many opportunities to learn from other people just as they have opportunities to learn from us. Human beings choose their own priorities, consciously and unconsciously. One of the fantastic things is that we can change mental focus anytime.

[Liara Covert]

Paul, some people get this sense they go around in circles in their lives, getting nowhere fast. The thing about that perception is the envisioned destination may be misguided. We need to look beyond our self-created limits and travel differently. This has nothing to do with physical distance and everything to do with exploring the outskirts of infinite mind.