Important thing nowadays (which I realized on my travels) is fact, that there are no limits. Especially when you´re young, coming from country that is relatively free, you have so many options.
Not talking only about all the youth exchange, Erasmus and volunteering programmes, which allow you to go anywhere. Following the right pages, sooner or later you´ll find the offer you need to find – to make a movie from Kosovo documentary festival or train to become part of one NGO in Macedonia. Most of these offers are almost for free – you pay max. 30% of your travel costs. Can you imagine what your parents would say (especially when you´re coming from former east block as I do)? It´s not fair.
Well, it´s not. On the other hand, not everything is bright. For example – insecurity we live nowadays – like my friend told me – most of young folks around me are lost. In present and especially in future. Still there exists principal conflict – should I go with the flow which dictates me what to do, when and how or cut the rope which ties me to these borders and leave them? Well, hardest fact to accept – it´s up to you.
Let go your fear
I used to be a fearful kid. Afraid to be myself, afraid of trying new things, do what I like. Becoming older you´re getting rid of these fears but still. Fear is my biggest enemy. Where does this fear come from? Is it my fear – or fear of my parents, ancestors, the society I live in?
I met a lot of people on my journey to Thailand – people with no plan, no future, let´s say. They were coming from travels – used to travel for years or months and now, coming home, little bit fearful what it will bring. But, who knows what future brings?
I met a guy, let´s call him Diego, he used to be lawyer in Argentina, safe future, nice girlfriend, nothing to worry about. But at the certain point in his life – he asked himself – is this what I want? No, was the answer. Somehow he moved to Australia, to work, to live, to travel, then go to India to practise yoga, then it happened he got offer from organisation teaching young people around the world to meditate. He was just following his “inner voice”, not thinking too much, not planning a lot, going with the flow of life. And so we met. You should see him. I bet you haven´t met so many people like him – free, open to anything, feeling comfortable with himself, shining like a star. The way he talked, acted, was uncompromisingly straight. No fear, no hesitation, just pure faith. In life itself, in future, whatever it brings. I often think of him.
Leave your comfort home
But… It´s not necessary to leave your job, home, family and friends to change your life, you can start to do something different here, staying in your homeland. Sometimes it´s even harder to stay. Try to be more trustful, more happy. Look on the things you want to do and things you can do. Don´t ask if you´re good enough to go out with something you want. People are so easy to persuade – untill you´re persuaded. Leave your old habits, your zone. Your homeland is a safe place, we all know that, but also too dangerous to turn you into old, lazy, always complaining, grumpy daddy.
I´m telling this to myself everyday. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. At least it makes me think. And thinking can be the first step. But not thinking too much.
perfectimperfects 