The Unexpected Life Lessons Discovered While Traveling
- John Provost
- Dec 28, 2024
- 6 min read
If you approach vacations like I do, then you do so with certain expectations (lots of hot and sunny days in Florida, or tasty seafood in New England for example). Other expectations I have for vacations would also include relaxing, and enjoying new experiences. The last thing I expected was to be taught some life lessons and given a new perspectives and newfound appreciation for life in general.
When my Dad said he wanted to drive down and visit relatives in Florida my brain kicked into overdrive . I had visions of an epic road trip, warm nights at the beach, long days in the sun soaking up some new views and potentially a day or two at Disney World.
What I didn't count on was that the most profound experiences to be had weren't the scenic views or iconic landmarks, but came in the form of some surprising life lessons that were encountered along the way. This had me seriously reconsidering what I thought I knew, especially when it came to vacations.
Embracing the Unknown
Our travels would take us to the tip of Florida (which I had briefly visited in the past but my dad had never been) and we were looking forward to going and getting a change of scenery. After all it was near the ocean and we talked about getting in some much needed beach time. As most travellers usually do, we started planning and compiled a list of what we considered the must do attractions, restaurants, sights, and of course breweries that populated the area. We were going to see as much as we could and do just as much.
While sticking to what is known can feel comfortable, it can also limit our experiences. Embracing the unknown (as we found out) can open up a world of possibilities and leads us to discover new interests that we may have never considered before, and broaden our horizons, enriching our lives in ways we never thought possible.
Case in point I would never consider hitting up dive bars late at night, especially ones that looked like they came right out of horror movies like "From Dusk Till Dawn" or "An American Werewolf in London". But places like this were a part of my brothers past that I was being introduced to and became the spot where some really great people were met. (I even learned a thing or two about relationships from a young couple. They trusted each so much they allowed their significant others free reign to do what they wanted to who they wanted without any hint of jealousy!)
Could a chance meeting like this have been planned? Absolutely not! Would we have met some very interesting people that became friends that night if we were afraid of stepping outside our comfort zone? Not a chance! Embracing the unknown can lead to you having some amazing and memorable experiences and memories that will last forever. But life wasn't done with its lessons just yet.
Cultivating Patience and Understanding
I’d be lying if I said every vacation I had ever been on was problem-free and without hiccups, and this trip was no exception-we had more than our fair share of issues! Without going into too many gory details, life decided to test us with some sticky situations (from almost setting off a bar brawl to killing off an endangered species), the lesson learned was to accept what could and could not be controlled and to just breathe. The issues were a temporary thing and would be resolved with a clear head. Just breathe and give yourself the opportunity to see things from a calm state of mind.
It is understandable, when visiting a new area, the temptation is to try and see or and or do everything in the short time given while on vacation. On this particular trip it felt as if there was constant pressure to always be on the move. This constant go-go-go mentality seemed excessive, unnecessary, and counter to what I felt vacation was all about. This commando style of vacation seemed crazy to me, and anyone that used this style, especially on a Disney Vacation (get up at the crack of dawn and cram all the rides and experiences into the day only to end the day completely exhausted and repeat the process the next day). Not for me, but then again I didn’t realize there was a pretty good reason for this mindset on this trip.
For certain parties, prior “vacation” trips devolved into utilitarian trips. “Do this for me”, “do that”, “I need you to to do me a favor”. And when this happens on every trip, by association, the vacation turned into extended work and the feeling that we always had to be doing something made sense once this bit of information was revealed: it was to avoid being tasked to work and to be able to enjoy vacation! I hadn’t considered this possibility and I instantly felt a sense of compassion for the situation and those involved.
I understood what was happening, why it was happening and could appreciate this mindset much better than before. I learned! Thanks life for teaching me this! And this lesson helped me appreciate the different perspectives from the people encountered, and taught me to not rush judgment and proceed with patience.
Management at a particular bar thought we were troublemakers and were skipping out on paying a tab, but it was only a misunderstanding, that once explained, things were brought down a few notches and the whole atmosphere lightened.
I’m sure if we hadn’t taken a step back and hotter heads prevailed, the bar brawl would have certainly happened and members of my family (including myself) may have wound up
Traveling exposed me to a tapestry of cultures, each with its own customs, languages, and traditions. Amidst these differences, I discovered the universal language of kindness and empathy. Navigating language barriers and cultural nuances taught me the value of patience and understanding in fostering meaningful connections. I learned that gestures of goodwill and genuine curiosity could bridge even the widest cultural gaps, leaving lasting impressions and fostering friendships that transcended borders.
Embracing Impermanence and Letting Go
Probably the biggest lesson learned was not getting too attached to an outcome and just going with the flow.
“The root of suffering is attachment” -Buddha
When it was announced we would be visiting people my dad hadn’t seen in over forty years, I had visions of tearful reunions and long walks down memory lane, lots of time spent in each others company. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of who my dad was before he settled down. What happened was a shock, because none of this happened quite the way I expected.
Lots of awkward silences filled with time spent on social media and watching tv. Where were the discussions of what was and what has happened since? Where were the conversations that started with “ remember when…?” Or “Let me show you around where I call home”. None of that…at least not at first. Those moments came towards the end of the trip. But his was not what I expected.
And then I realized this was probably a shock to all parties involved and this was the best way they knew how to handle the situation. It wasn’t avoidance or running away from events, but probably taking time that felt comfortable to them on how to process and deal. After all, it had been 40-plus years. And I didn’t realize this…until a lot later.
When I stopped expecting certain things to happen or go a particular way and started enjoying the moment, things changed. I felt as if the stress was lifting, the atmosphere wasn’t as tense, and I was really enjoying what was around us: sunshine, new tastes, new, sights, and new experiences with new people. It truly started to feel like a vacation, an escape from the normal.
When we become detached from an outcome, we free ourselves from expectations and stress of trying to make our desired end result happen. It’s like starting up New Yeara resolutions: the reason why most fail is because a lot of resolutions are tied to outcomes and not to the journey, the process itself. We get so stressed in trying to make the resolution happen that we don’t enjoy what we are doing and eventually give up.
Gratitude for the Journey
Looking back on this past vacation, I am so grateful for the journey, both outward and inward. The unexpected encounters, serendipitous moments, and subtle lessons learned along the way have left an undeniable mark on my soul, reminding me of the transformative power of exploration and self-discovery.
I have grown to appreciate the life lessons discovered while traveling and how they can transcend mere sightseeing or escapades. They encompass a profound journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and a deeper understanding of the world and oneself.
I hope this inspires you with an adventurous spirit and encourage you to embark on your own transformative travels and uncover the unexpected treasures of wisdom that await along the way.
So, dare to wander, embrace the unknown, and let the world be your greatest teacher in the classroom of life. And above all, don’t be afraid to learn and grow, even if it means doing this solo!
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