The pain of disappearing novelty. An idea that is becoming ever present in my life as I travel to more places around the world. I have always been a traveler and love the joy in things that are new and exciting. I love new smells, sights, crazy food, new relationships and so much more. However, what happens when traveling is no longer new? What happens when traveling becomes everyday life. It is easy to be free and happy when experiencing the wonderfully intoxicating moments that traveling somewhere new brings. What happens when we are expected to walk in happiness and freedom when its no longer exciting and novel? I think we as people are always searching out something bigger and better. We look for the newest rush and the tallest mountain. I think in doing this we miss out on beautiful moments that life can offer. Some really beautifully mundane things have happened to me this week that I would like to share.
I am working in a special needs school this month. Its gratifyingly tough work but there are moments all around me everyday that I would miss if I were to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. I would have missed the beauty in Silvia, the preschool teachers, smile. I would have missed my teammate Laura going beyond her comfort zone to make sure another person felt loved and the incredible and inspiring courage that took to do so. I would have missed Eulogia, the deaf child I work with, trying to tell me in spanish sign language that she loved me. If I was thinking about my upcoming travels to Nicaragua or conversations with teammates after work, I would have missed the small wonders in front of me.
I want to challenge you all who are reading this to start this idea at home. We don’t need travel to inspire us. Stop searching for the newest, toughest, more exciting and most expensive things. Start by finding one small thing each day that is beautiful and has meaning to you. Also, find the courage to do this with a partner and share it with each other. Just doing this small thing can change the atmosphere of your life. It encourages positivity and in turn smothers negative attitudes. Live life happy and free at home. Travel and experience the world, but lets not let that be the only way to bring rejuvenation and happiness into our lives.
