Hiya! How are you? What have you been up to? I would love to know please share below. Are you making travelplans or traveled recently?
I returned from Sri Lanka last Saturday (has it been 7 days already!!) and went straight back to work on Monday. I only visited Sri Lanka for 15 days (17 incl. travel) but it feels so much longer. And I want more!! I so long to travel more. I am making this a priority in my life, no more being so frugal with my time and money and spent more on travel. Spent your energy (money, physical, emotional, …) on what brings you joy!
I used to travel a lot more (I even worked in the travel industry as travel was one of my first loves), but money and not all that many days off per year (because of study and other “commitments”) restrict me from doing more. I am usually not too unhappy about this as I am really a lot less restless than I used to be, I don’t feel like I want to travel all the time anymore. I love Amsterdam and my little home. I love being here. But something inside of me is always pulling me to explore. Tickling and that feeling is just always there. So I explore in The Netherlands and places nearby. Even in my own hometown, I love to wander around and discover new places. But hey the world is our oyster and is there to be explored.
This year I didn’t plan to go on a holiday as I wanted to use the money to get heating installed in my house. But the tugging at my heart could no longer be denied and I booked a holiday to Sri Lanka. Heating can wait (even though I am so cold right now, typing this from my 12 degrees C. room) and I packed my bag.
Hungry Soul
Every day we move forward in time and space. We grow in small ways and, sometimes, in very significant ways. When we travel, growth is intensified because we are in new territory. Travel feeds the soul’s growth as you break your daily cycle, you meet new people and see your life and those of others in a different light. It is an important part of the discovery of your life as a human. It actually feeds your soul. I believe we are all spiritual travelers who choose to be on planet Earth to explore. We are the Explorer Race. Our souls want us to travel and pick up knowledge and experience the world. When we travel we are removed from our familiar surroundings and learn that we are not who we think we are. We (re)discover parts of our personality that lay dormand before and are challenged to face head on those triggers that we in our daily life so carefully avoided. All these experiences promote spiritual growth.
“You are that mystery which you are seeking to know.” – Joseph Cambell
Patterns and our reactions to these patterns are what prevent us from living and taking part in the beauty we are gifted. By playing in the unknown we’re able to witness these patterns from afar and see how we react to them. With continued awareness we can prevent ourselves from falling into old habits.
So yes travelling feeds the soul and I am so hungry! It feels like I just had a bit of the appetizer and I am craving more. Really 17 days is too short.
Solo travel
When you are a solo traveler it does not mean traveling alone. To grow spiritually you need people to teach you. New people are important on our spiritual journey. The key is that we experience and learn from them yet they aren’t part of our everyday life. This leaves us free to discover ourselves uninhibited by others. And boy was I triggered a couple of times along the way. At the moment perhaps very annoying to deal with but also I was (and am) seeing the lessons so clearly and I am very grateful for these clear teachings and these teachers.
Dreaming
During travel we have the time and distant perspective to see the future as everything and nothing. There is no better time to wallow in hopes, dreams and possibilities. Stepping out of our routines and daily lives clears the traveler’s vision. So often we live in the past or future. We do not stop to see and be the present moment-our present moment. So I carried a journal with me everywhere I went and scribbled down all my heart’s desires and ideas.
I think travel is a great opportunity for growth and healing. And I would love to spend the winters in a warm place, find a way to do my healings and readings from a warm place during wintertime and spend my Summers in Amsterdam. Who knows, putting it out there, sowing the seed. Need to ponder and meditate on this some more. And see how this unfolds. I am excited!
Sri Lanka – “resplendent island”
Sri Lanka is an enchanting island. It has so many diverse arrays of landscapes for such a small country and an overflowing amount of untouched cultural wonders. The people are so sweet, kind and hospitable. Sri Lanka is the perfect stress-buster and just warms your heart and soul. I am in love. Sri Lanka I love you. Thank you. xx
