I recently visited the Taj Mahal, which I’ve never really had a burning desire to do. Yeah it’s a wonder of the world and cool and whatnot, but it’s just not on the top of my life goals list.
But this trip meant a lot more to me than I expected.
I did it for more than myself or the adventurous spirit of the Wold Race. I did it to celebrate dreams and to honor a girl I never met. Say hello to Caroline, my inspiration for going to the Taj Mahal and honoring a life full of dreams.
Like I said, I never met Caroline but I spent a lot of time praying for her and her family. A good friend of mine, Sarah, brought Caroline’s name into my mind by continually bringing her battle with a brain abnormality called chiari malformation* into our prayer time in our bible study. She sadly passed away too soon, but that’s not what I want to focus on.
I want to focus on the spirit of joy and dreaming and travel adventures she inspired in me.
I am thankful to Sarah for bringing Caroline’s name up so often because it created room to share more of her story with us. What a life she lived! The story that stuck out to me the most was one about her at the Taj Mahal. From Sarah’s instagram:
“When you were on Semester and Sea, and I was missing you the most, I remember looking out at the sunset in Stillwater and thinking about our friendship and I texted you and told you how I just wished you were sitting with me. You responded, saying that you were watching the sunrise behind the Taj Mahal, and that we were watching the same sun. You reminded me that we were always together, no matter the distance. Every time I see a sunset or sunrise, I know that you’re here with me, and that we’re watching the same sun, no matter the distance.”
– Sarah
I still don’t understand the reason, but Caroline’s story just stuck with me and knowing she wanted to go on the World Race inspired me to make things happen even more on my Race.
This all goes to say: I didn’t care that much about visiting the Taj, but I do care about living life to the fullest in honor of someone who already did more than I could ever. (Side note: the Taj was 100% worth every penny and I was so wrong to not care that much)
SO
If you have a dream, no matter how big or small it is, talk about it.
You may get to do them real soon. You may get to do them in the future. Or you may not get to enjoy them all. But that’s not a bad thing. Caroline dreamed of going on the World Race, and although she didn’t get to, she’s inspiring me to make the most of my Race and I never even met her! Talk about your dreams.
If you have a dream, act on it.
In the words of the great Shia LaBeouf, “Don’t let your dreams be dreams.” Yes, be intelligent about your actions, but go do something! Spend the money. Take the time off. Postpone something. Make your dreams happen. This is not a blog about living for the worldly desires of your flesh. This is about celebrating the good and real desires God places in your heart for a reason! He LIKES when you get to have fun. He WANTS to give you joyful adventurous desires and He wants to fulfill them!
If you have a dream, take someone with you or include someone at least.
It’s almost always 10x better with others.
If you need an idea for a big dream, start with “I want to go on the World Race.”
It’s pretty cool, and Jesus is in every moment.
P. S.
In Christ,
JCRB
*Correction from what I originally believed to be cancer.
