Before I even started on my race I was learning to let go of my possessions, things I had held on to for years I was getting rid of, but I was also learning not to be attached to anything I was bringing on the race. The reason is traveling for 11 months can mean wear and tear, being lost in transit or even having something stolen. When almost everything you bring could easily be replaced you place more value on the time and memories being created.
For most of my vacations I have tried some form of recording but a while back I decided I would rather experience and live life than record it with pictures or souvenirs, but that is me. A year or two after a trip any souvenirs are thrown out, pictures are flipped through maybe because I don’t even remember where it was taken, but the experience and memory are with me forever if not slightly forgotten until I think back on what I’ve experienced.
So this year I decided that I would write something for everyday to record the amazing and not so amazing day to day of my life. Especially since this trip was about more than traveling the world but about becoming a better version of myself and furthering the Kingdom of God. Something I want to remember and look back on to be able to see my progress.
While sitting sown during my personal time I pulled out my phone, no Wi-Fi, and started to write my blog. I had started using one note back home for different notes because it was easier to use across different devices. From my blog I got the idea that if I used it for my journal I would be able to have a copy no matter what happened to my stuff. I would only lose what I hadn’t synced. This has also opened up another opportunity for me. In one of my first conversations with my mom I decided to share my journal with her. I had made one specific for the world race so that is all she can see.
It has been an amazing opportunity to grow closer to my mom through the distance. I don’t know when or what she is reading but she is able to step into my thoughts and can pray and see what the lord is doing when I don’t have the time to talk to her myself. Also when you can’t find the words to say out loud in a crowded coffee shop, they can be shared through the journal.
I’m not only sharing this journey with my mom but every day I wake up I share it with the people on my team, the people in my ministry or for after the race my job, as well as the people you interact with or don’t interact with on any given day. I’m learning that it is our choice in how we live life, we can let the days pass us by or we can be intentional about the people we interact with, the way we hold ourselves.
We are in the driver seat, and if we want to go somewhere we need to take action to make it happen, no one else is going to do it for us.
