Traveling Through Life: Learning, Evolving, and Reflecting

Life Lessons Learned on a Journey

What is a journey. A journey is an act of traveling from one place to another and the time in between that act. We took a look at many texts relating to people going on a journey such as the Odyssey, The Return, and Gone and back again a Traveler’s Advice. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. -Lao Tzu. In other words sometimes you have control over what journey you take and other times you go on one without knowing your going through a journey. On a journey one can learn many life lessons (such as take time slowly, being positive, and being flexible), gain new character traits, and have a new perspective on life.

One lesson that a person can learn through a journey would be to “slow down occasionally.” (page 547) This is an example of a life lesson which will allow you to enjoy every minute of what you want to enjoy. It also tells us not to rush life. Another lesson is to pack a positive attitude. (547) Having a positive attitude helps you enjoy your trip a lot more and is better for other people. Staying positive will help make the journey fun for everyone, and will help you if you need help with something. One will also learn that nothing is set in stone. For example “I might have made it safely home, that time, but as I came around the Malea the current took me out to sea, and from the north a fresh gale drove me on, past Cythera. Nine days i drifted on the teeming sea before dangerous high winds.” (The Lotus-Eaters Page 563, lines 82-87). It tells us that just when we think a journey might be over it may take an unexpected turn, which tells us that nothing is set in stone.

Discovering Yourself on a Journey

A journey can also force out character traits one may not know they had. One trait that could be seen would be a leader. There will be times where one may have to step up and become a leader. One example would be when Odysseus has to help his men escape the cyclops's layer/home. (The cyclops pages 564-576). This example is also a great example of teamwork. Odysseus and his men work together to stab the cyclob’s eye which ultimately leads to their escape. Adaptability is another trait that will likely happen during a journey. From the Odyssey part 2 when Odysseus changes his form to a younger man he needs to adapt to his new body. He is unrecognized by people in his life, such as his wife, which shows he needed to adapt.

New Outlook on Life Through Travelling

A journey also gives one a new perspective on life. Because you are learning and gaining information from new places and people, travel can also shape you into a better, more well rounded thinker and person. Too often we think of success and happiness as an end, a destination that we have to reach. What so many people fail to realize is that both of those terms are more of an approach to the journey, not the end of the journey itself. And people think differently once they realize that. A journey allows people to realize what they have/had. In “Gone and Back Again: A Traveler’s Advice” It was said to get lost “deliberately”. When on a journey it helps if you ask for help. Sometimes it can help to get another opinion about something. Chances are, someone around you knows something you don't--and it's on you to ask them questions. Also native know the land the best even if they don’t have the same lifestyle as you they may be a great help in the long run. Sometimes the new perspective is not always positive. For example In The Return, when Kamau returns home he is surprised by how much has changed and was left heartbroken when he found out that his wife left him once she was told he was dead. This would most likely change his perspective one life.