Flamingo Beach, Costa Rica, Oct 2017
Happiness! Isn't that what we all want out of life? In today's world we rush, rush, rush, always seeking the next big thing we think will make us happy. Is it a new phone, a new car, a new job? Sure, all of those things give us temporary happiness, but what brings us forever happiness?
A recent study at Cornell University found that "spending money on experiences is more likely to bring you lasting happiness than spending money on material objects. The reason being is that people "adapt" to physical objects – meaning the things you've bought will bring decreasing amounts of happiness as time goes on and you get used to having them around – whereas those one-off experiences will be looked back upon with joy that only increases."
As someone who has lived a materialistic life and a simple life (which is my current lifestyle), I have to say, I am much happier now. In the 90's, my happiest time was when I lived in Maui as a broke 20 something, with several roomies and a bunny. I waitressed at a sushi bar and the Ritz Carlton. Maui was expensive. I had less than I ever expected to as a college grad, but I was exploring, hiking, laughing, and fell in love with sunsets and sunrises.
My love for travel started at a young age. My grandparents had a downstairs extra living room area. They always had stacks of Reader's Digest and National Geographic magazines in a woven basket in the corner, sitting on the orange shag carpet. I was a relatively quiet kid who loved to read. On the rare occasion I did get in trouble, they would send me downstairs to sit in the corner. I may be the only kid on earth who did not mind getting "punished". They had magazines!
I still remember seeing pictures of the women in Africa and Asia wearing stacks of neck rings, or women doing a customary dance with their tribe. Funny how I often can't remember what I had for breakfast, but I distinctly remember thinking, 'I want to see that one day". And, so I did. And my life has never been the same.
After earning my bachelor's degree in communications, with an emphasis in journalism, I ventured into the world thinking that I was going to be the female version of Geraldo Riviera. I literally had that thought in my mind for several years. I wanted to be on the front lines. I'm not kidding. I had visions of it. But, life doesn't always happen as we hope and plan (for me, or Geraldo). Instead, I worked in advertising as a media buyer in Arizona before moving to San Diego for a few months. From there, I went to Hawaii on vacation for a few weeks, that turned into a few years.
Living in Hawaii is an experience I will always cherish. I had to work 2 jobs, because everyone there does. Especially, when you are in your 20's and figuring life out. I loved it. I am still friends with someone from there. I wish I could remember the last names of the other people I hung around with and lived with, but unfortunately, I cannot. Maybe, I will find it in my diaries one day. If so, I see another Facebook reunion happening!
Beautiful Balinese women I watched perform a dance for us, in Ubud, Indonesia.
At this point, I had only been to Mexico. It's easy to do when you live in San Diego. But, as far as international travel, that was it. I didn't even have a passport. But, my travel journey was about to begin when I met a Swedish girl, quite a bit younger than me, that moved to Maui and wanted to go to SE Asia. She invited me! I still remember taking my passport photo. I was so excited! I was also in a sad place from a broken heart. She told me that traveling would heal me. Boy, did it ever! I forgot all about my broken heart once I stepped foot in Indonesia.
We had planned on staying for 2 weeks, but 10 months later, I had still not come home. I saw so much more than Bali. I went to 8 countries. I learned about religions other than mine. I learned about politics. I have a letter I wrote to my grandparents about all the political stuff happening, and apparently, I was very opinionated about it too. I learned that Thai food in Thailand, "extra Thai hot", could kill me. O.M.G. it was so hot!!! I was trying to be brave as the Thai ladies kept asking me if I was ok. I held monkeys and fed a bat a carrot, who immediately pooped the carrot out just as fast as it went in. I have a picture of it somewhere stuck in a photo album!
I learned so much, but most of all, I learned that I LOVED traveling and that I never wanted to stop. But, the money ran out and that is how I ended up in the South. Long story short, life took over and I did not go overseas for 12 years! I really regret that. I would love to have a redo, but I can't, and I don't live my life thinking about it. I move forward and now know that I will never stop traveling. As a matter of fact, when I met my husband, I told him that I travel and with or without him, I need to see the world. Little did I know, he used to work for National Geographic. I found my travel mate! And, he is cool with me traveling by myself again. I haven't done it yet, I plan to next year. Solo traveling is good for the soul too!
In closing, I have to agree with scientists. Traveling does make us happier. If you are open minded, you can see how beautiful people are all around the world. You can hear their voices and know that they are just like us. It hurts my heart when people tell me that they will never leave the USA to travel because they are afraid. I'm grateful I do not have that fear. I have happiness. And traveling is a big contributor. Are you happy when you travel? How does it enrich your life? Let me know, I would love to help you find and create more happiness. We get one shot at life, if traveling is not your thing, that is fine, but if it is, then "let's go"! Create your best stories!
#travel #storymakerstravel #letsgo #exploremore #happiness #enrichment #seetheworld #itsgoodforyourhealth #happy
