While you can...

For the past few years, I've been traveling around different cities in the country especially whenever I get the chance to spend a day or two or maybe weeks off from work. It serves as my outlet from an arduous labor of being a nurse or to escape life's heavy responsibilities and it's drama. I try to grab every opportunity to travel because it keeps me sane and I absolutely believe that life is indeed short and there's so much in the world to see.

People may ask me why I'm so laagan (one who loves to travel) but traveling made me realize a lot of things.

1. SELF-KNOWLEDGE.

There were activities I thought I couldn't do. I conquered great heights and faced them bravely. I pushed myself as to what I'm capable of and I savored the accomplishment after every climb. The journey wasn't easy but for the love of extreme adventures and experience, I pushed on. It's like in one's life, we encounter problems along the way but if we face them boldly, nothing is impossible. Giving up is not an option if we want to survive, to see the view from atop, or to be happy in the end. Our perseverance and hard work are always rewarded even if we feel our efforts are not enough. KEEP. MOVING. ON.

2. THE WORLD IS BEAUTIFUL.

As I have said earlier, there's so much to see. What we see now is not as big as the world we know. Unbeknownst to us that there are more wonders around us and the only way to see them is to travel and explore. Sometimes, we neglect the simple things like how beautiful a sunset is, or the way it shines in the sky. We are preoccupied with our daily lives that we forget to appreciate the artistry of Mother Nature. These moments should not be taken for granted or should be experienced once in while as it is during these times that we realize every sunset is an end to a day but every sunrise is another opportunity. We live in the moment and still hopeful for what tomorrow may bring. There's still beauty in this harsh world. It's just how you perceive it.

Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero.
To seize the day, trusting as little as possible in the future.

Source: Urban Dictionary

3. GAIN NEW FRIENDS.

Socializing every time you wander plays a vital role. Joining activities that involve meeting individuals in an outreach program or a climb to a mountain, helps you learn more about different people. You get to understand diverse behaviors and cultures even by observing or mingling with them. Little did you know, you've made friends with them already. We meet people for a reason and through this, we learn how to value friendship and our relationship with other people. We may either let it grow or it was just for that moment.

4. TRAVELING IS RESPONSIBILITY.

When you travel, you have to be responsible not only for yourself or to other people, but also to Mother Nature. It is a saddening sight to see that some of the places that are mostly visited by tourists, even locals, are becoming polluted or abused. Trash is strewn over the sea, and we become surprised when animals like sea turtles die because of a straw stuck in its nose or feel sad for the last white rhino who recently died. We should always think of the mountaineering principle.

"Leave nothing but footprints. Take nothing but pictures. Kill nothing but time."

We don't want the future generation to be suffering all the consequences humankind made.There still hope in this world. We can still make a difference if we do things right.

One of the beaches I visited and was shocked to see this. From plastic bottles to wrappers, the shore has it.

5. MAKE MEMORIES.

My dad often told me that I spend most of my money in traveling. I have been a nurse for quite some time now but I don't have enough savings. Yes, I don't because for me, money can be earned so as with memories but traveling when you are able is something. You don't want to travel when you have all the money but you do not have the energy to do so anymore. YOLO, you only live once they say but its YOLO responsibly. Proper budgeting and allocating of funds is important especially when you're already adulting. Don't get broke just to travel. When you're adulting, you get to have more responsibilities but through these experiences, you will learn how to handle it well along the process.

ENJOY LIFE GUYS.
You never know when's your last.

P.S.
Does this encourage you to travel too? Leave me a comment below.

Much love,

Kayenine.