As the series is winding down, I have come to realize what a truly overwhelmingly blessed season this is. I nearly forgot about today, because I was so caught up in last minute shopping, doing yoga, and eating sushi. I’m certainly not complaining, because this is my “break”. But even on my time off from class and college, I still want to work every day to improve my reading and writing, and this blog is just one way I do that.

So on this eleventh day, I am going to express my gratitude for travel. To me, traveling just means that you aren’t limited to one place, you have a more broad horizon, and you can expand your perspective farther than your own driveway.

About a month and a half ago I dvelved into the subject with my “19 in 19” series, with the post: https://illiterateblondes.com/2017/11/04/19-in-19-traveling-outlook-vs-view/

To quote myself, “Some travel for research, business, visiting relatives, vacation, sports, or mission trips. Some travel because they need a new home, need a new start and a new perspective. Some travel because they want to get away, or find something they lost. And some, like me, travel because my mind deserves to wander farther than my backyard.”

I think this summarizes why we travel, but what does this mean? I am thankful for traveling because of the opportunity to gain a new beginning, a new start, and a new outlook on life. Switching the view is one easy way to slip on the rose-colored glasses, and it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to get to where you need to go.

You see, I think that the idealized “vacation paradise” is false and untrue: you don’t need to lay on a white sand beach with a sugary drink and crystal blue waves to feel relaxed and free. You need a place that brings ease of mind and ease of spirit, and if that’s a field of tall grass a few hours away, then it counts as traveling just as much as going to an island.

I am thankful for the possibility to leave when I need to, and to have the ability to choose a new frame of mind.

Yours,

Madeleine