I want to take a moment to discuss the conflicting emotions I go through when traveling. I get excited and filled with the infinite possibilities when I begin researching and planning my trip. I tackle with passion the planning stages, working on the logistics, researching my destination, reading books, fiction and non-fiction and developing a travel itinerary of important things to see.
After doing that, I kind of push it into the back of my mind and go about the normal mundane things of existence. About 2 weeks before the trip, I begin to question did I make the right choice, can I afford to go, and shouldn't I be doing something more important.
The few preceding days before my excitement level begins to build again. Yet, still some ambiguity continues to raise its ugly head. The day before and the day of, I am in an anxious state going over all my arrangements and flights. The final night has me so excited I can barely sleep. I like to leave as early as possible to get on my way to the next adventure. I reach the apex of my excitement as I charge all my electronics the night before so I am fully loaded. Movies and books have been downloaded to keep me busy on the plane or in case of layovers. I wake up without an alarm, make as little noise as possible, pack the last items, grab my passport and documents and go....
I bring this up because it is my contention that much of living life is about the ambiguity of choices we make and the resulting emotions we feel over those choices. It is kind of like buyer's remorse only I feel the handling of those conflicting feelings goes a long way towards understanding yourself and being happy. One of the important Existential anxieties is that no matter what choice we make in life we will always feel anxiety over the myriad of choices we did not make. The road less traveled might be a wonderful place but you will wonder what the other roads held for you. The other anxiety is death and understanding that we only have a finite about of time on this planet and how do we wish to spend that time. Hopefully, in the pursuit of meaningful events.
I love to travel! It is a big part of how I find meaning in the world. My wife and taking care of her and family are large parts of those meaningful moments, friends come into that as well.
Remember the Time to be Happy is right now, don't put it off until tomorrow, the time to be happy is now.
After doing that, I kind of push it into the back of my mind and go about the normal mundane things of existence. About 2 weeks before the trip, I begin to question did I make the right choice, can I afford to go, and shouldn't I be doing something more important.
The few preceding days before my excitement level begins to build again. Yet, still some ambiguity continues to raise its ugly head. The day before and the day of, I am in an anxious state going over all my arrangements and flights. The final night has me so excited I can barely sleep. I like to leave as early as possible to get on my way to the next adventure. I reach the apex of my excitement as I charge all my electronics the night before so I am fully loaded. Movies and books have been downloaded to keep me busy on the plane or in case of layovers. I wake up without an alarm, make as little noise as possible, pack the last items, grab my passport and documents and go....
I bring this up because it is my contention that much of living life is about the ambiguity of choices we make and the resulting emotions we feel over those choices. It is kind of like buyer's remorse only I feel the handling of those conflicting feelings goes a long way towards understanding yourself and being happy. One of the important Existential anxieties is that no matter what choice we make in life we will always feel anxiety over the myriad of choices we did not make. The road less traveled might be a wonderful place but you will wonder what the other roads held for you. The other anxiety is death and understanding that we only have a finite about of time on this planet and how do we wish to spend that time. Hopefully, in the pursuit of meaningful events.
I love to travel! It is a big part of how I find meaning in the world. My wife and taking care of her and family are large parts of those meaningful moments, friends come into that as well.
Remember the Time to be Happy is right now, don't put it off until tomorrow, the time to be happy is now.
Well said, and I'm thrilled you are back BitoftheladHandleizerMadMan!
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