During a recent international project, I spent an entire day (each way) at several airports. During the process, I noticed there is a definite difference between the people flying around the world.
In all cases, people are going from where they are/were to where they want to be. Transportation, in it's basest sense, is simply a means to an end. A way to progress - to achieve movement toward something we want. In this way, the person is more of a passive "tourist" - just along for the ride.
It's not just the difference between business travel and pleasure travel. It extends to HOW a person experiences the journey...and Life.
There is a significant difference in the WAY people move from place to place. Whether for business or pleasure, some people actually seem to be engaged in the process of traveling - gaining additional value from the experience of "getting" to the destination. I consider these people to be more of a "traveler".
My personal guideline when traveling is to be "unplugged" - free from the tyranny of the Internet and computer files. One of the reasons I enjoy traveling so much is that I'm able to connect to the smallest (valuable) details of the process, and purposefully experience those Life-enhancing moments that create a life that is truly lived (rather than merely existing.)
In some cases, I interact with people. In others I just observe and ponder. I've found that Life's biggest/best insights are a result of simply taking the time to ponder. When was the last time YOU planned some "pondering time" into your schedule...and actually DID it?
Are you just a tourist going through your life? Or are you an engaged traveler?
Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!
In all cases, people are going from where they are/were to where they want to be. Transportation, in it's basest sense, is simply a means to an end. A way to progress - to achieve movement toward something we want. In this way, the person is more of a passive "tourist" - just along for the ride.
It's not just the difference between business travel and pleasure travel. It extends to HOW a person experiences the journey...and Life.
There is a significant difference in the WAY people move from place to place. Whether for business or pleasure, some people actually seem to be engaged in the process of traveling - gaining additional value from the experience of "getting" to the destination. I consider these people to be more of a "traveler".
My personal guideline when traveling is to be "unplugged" - free from the tyranny of the Internet and computer files. One of the reasons I enjoy traveling so much is that I'm able to connect to the smallest (valuable) details of the process, and purposefully experience those Life-enhancing moments that create a life that is truly lived (rather than merely existing.)
In some cases, I interact with people. In others I just observe and ponder. I've found that Life's biggest/best insights are a result of simply taking the time to ponder. When was the last time YOU planned some "pondering time" into your schedule...and actually DID it?
Are you just a tourist going through your life? Or are you an engaged traveler?
Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!
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