Explore, Dream, Discover

My husband and I have been trying for months to decide if we should take another dream trip to SE Asia this winter. We’re considering Thailand, South China, India, and Burma. The problem is we’ve been living in our new home for less than a year, and we love it here. Also, winter is the best weather in the deserts of Southern California, the place we now call home. Still, we also love to travel and taste what different cultures have to offer.

We kept going back and forth, one day yes, the next no. There are still so many things we want to do to our house, and traveling would rob us of the time and money to get them done anytime soon. But then I came across the following quote:

Twenty years from now, you will be

more disappointed by the things that you

didn't do than by the ones you did do.

So throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbor.

Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore.  Dream.  Discover.

~ Mark Twain

We all face choices in our lives, often small insignificant ones, sometimes huge life-shaking ones. Occasionally the choice is between taking action or not, between making a decision or not. Sometimes we put off the action or decision to a later date. But let’s not kid ourselves. No action is an action. No decision is a decision.

If you want to something to happen, if you want a life well lived, you have to make it happen. And often times that means sacrificing some things to gain others.

My partner and I have a choice: stay at home with our secure life, or risk everything for the chance at seeing more of the world. We chose to fly away from the safe home, to explore, dream, and discover, and I’m glad we did.

Herman and I will soon be too feeble for long, exhausting travel, and we’ll hopefully have plenty of time to enjoy our home once that day comes. But we are still energetic enough for a four-month trek through distant lands. If we don’t do it now, we will, no doubt, end up regretting it in years to come.

What things do you wish you had done? Travel? Write a book? Help build a house for some needy family? Adopt a child or a pet? What will you choose to do now that will let you explore, dream, and discover?

Don’t let circumstances decide for you. Make a decision today and take action.

Here’s to your life of discovery!