We are all after the
next best thing. Always searching, chasing.
Right now, at 23 years
old, my chase is after beauty, taking the form of Peru, Colombia, Brazil,
Chile, the list goes on. My heart skips a beat when I think of the places I
want to not just see, but experience. I want to breathe the pure mountain air
of Chile’s Patagonia. Ride on the Amazon River in Peru. Hike the tropical beaches
with the jungle coastline in Parque Nacional Tayrona, Colombia. Surf Playa
Samara and Mal Pais in Costa Rica. Party in Rio. We all have destinations we
only reach in our dreams until we can make it happen. Wanderlust.
Being young’s a
beautiful thing. Everything’s so fresh. You feel like you have the world in the
palm of your hands, there are so many new experiences. Every journey gives you
a rush.
So many people lose
the rush. I never want to lose this craving to squeeze all the juice out of
life. One of my favorite professors told me on graduation day from college,
“Never lose your zest for life Gioconda.” What I’m realizing in the Peace Corps
is that we get used to our schedules, and forget we have the world in the palm
of our hands. Routine is death to man, in my opinion. Attention corporate
America: you’re responsible, it’s great you have good jobs to pay those damn
bills, but when was the last time you felt alive? You only get one shot at
living. Don’t waste the most important thing given to you – time! It’s true –
you only live once. Such a washed out phrase, thank you “YOLO”, but a phrase with
so much power. Today will never happen again. What opportunities did you miss?
What would you have changed if today was your last? Are you satisfied with who
you are? Quit asking yourself the same old questions, stop waiting, and do
crazy shit. Wanderlust.
I’m calling people to
be fearless. Do not be afraid of your carnal inhibitions. Utilize them. Say
what’s on your mind. Do what it takes to get to where you want to be. Wake up
energized. Learn new things. Do.
Do you feel your heart
beating? Take a second and feel it go. It’s going for you, but not for you to
just sit around and do something mediocre. You’re here to make that heart beat
faster. Run, say the things on your mind that you thought you couldn’t, laugh
in the face of embarrassment and crush it. Do something you thought you
couldn’t. Go somewhere new. Wanderlust.
Doing things I never
thought I could do is part of the Peace Corps life and I love it. I’m always
pushing my limits.
You’re lusting for a
reason. Go wander.
“Not all those that
wander are lost.”
Wanderlust.
