Not all those who wander are lost

Not all those who wander are lost-

First time I heard this quote was from a girl I had dinner with in Sydney the day before I set off. It’s actually not a complete quote, but part of a passage from, of all things, JR Tolkin’s, Lord of the Rings: “All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost”. Eloquently put and insightful, but my favorite quote probably still is the Chinese proverb- “The journey is the reward”. The profound simplicity of it fascinates me. I believe it’s more a quote about life itself, but rings true with travel as well, as it’s regularly applied to. Not all those who wander are lost though struck a chord with me at the time. I was setting off for an underdetermined amount of time in exotic and far off places. Most people would consider this a search for something. Trying to fill in the missing pieces of life. Self discovery etc etc. Not me. I had no hopes of finding something ‘lost’, no delusions of grander. I wasn’t depressed about anything nor trying to escape my current reality. I had a good life, a great life. Some of my friends razz me still about when I said (and maintained) I had the 4th best job in the world. They were, in this order; rock star, professional athlete, movie star, my job. I got paid to throw parties. I was selling luxury experiences to high profile patrons. Back to Mr. Tolkin for a second- (“all that is gold does not glitter”). Fast cars, French restaurants, free drinks and comped shows. Champagne wishes, caviar dreams, and all that bullshit. I had always stayed grounded enough (“Deep roots are not reached by the frost”) to understand there are more important things. I wanted to experience life, simple as living. To live away from concierge desks, bellman, 24 hour room service and same day dry cleaning. Returning to a more simple existence, seeing the beauty of the third world. The exquisite stench, enchanting grime. Sometimes the real gold is covered in a layer of dust.

Even going the budget route full time travel, without picking up odd jobs along the way, comes with a hefty price tag. I asked myself many times if pursuing it was self serving a narcissistic goal. Checking things off a bucket list in pursuit of some intangible fulfillment. A growing country count? Another photo album on Facebook? I struggled with this a bit. Not how it would be perceived by anyone else, but what I truly thought about it myself. Couldn’t I invest that money into a business? Wouldn’t it be a wiser decision to continue working in this turbulent economy? Aren’t I getting too old to be starting over when I get back? I’m grateful that the answer to those questions and outcome of this years travels have been exactly what I hoped they would be. There has probably never been a wiser decision made on my part than to save up the way I had, specifically to use it for experiencing the world, the way I had. My old line of work isn’t going anywhere if I want to return to it and having the ability to reinvent yourself, at any age, is what life is all about (“The old that is strong does not wither”). I’m not sure what’s in store for my next move professionally, but I know I’ll be wiser, more compassionate and more patient with whatever it is I’m doing whenever that time comes.

I remember as a kid seeing a bumper sticker that read “he who dies with the most toys wins”. I remember my mom having to explain to me that toys in that context referred to adult things, like cars, boats, jet skis and what not, I remember her saying how that bumper sticker was wrong, how it’s the little things in life that matter and how it’s family and loved ones that’s important. I understood that then, but can testify to it now. I eluded to this in a recent post. The whole best things in life aren’t things thing. Fill your life with memories and surround yourself with like minded loved ones. Social media has made philosophers of half the people I know. Never before have I seen so many inspirational quotes or words of wisdom. My peer group has turned into little miniature versions of Tony Robbins or would be Jim Rohn’s. This page in particular is full of enough quotes to fill a self help seminar, but that said, a few last acknowledgments and things I feel worthy of keeping in mind- This is your life, you only get one of them, there are no second takes. Make yourself a better person. Learn, laugh, love, live. Find your own way. Follow your bliss. The journey is the reward…

Bob