Rey Belen
The rush of a new place to wonder.
The excitement of silencing the doubts of conquering the unknown.
The enthusiasm of finally realizing the fascination.
All of which epitomizes the beauty of an adventure to people.
No wonder why many sweat it out, literally and figuratively, to take that next adventure, because we as humans have that affinity for something new and for something we think worth keeping.
As for me, I have always been daring myself to go somewhere I have never been to, learn new stuff, or try a different approach to things.
During travels and adventures I find myself learning and growing every moment because of the three (3) “PERSONS” that I get involve with during my trips.
PERSON YOU’RE WITH
It may be a good thing to travel alone, but it is still best to have someone with you during those adventures. The long hours of walk in a beautiful landscape, the new creatures you see on the deep dives you take or the new heights you conquer traversing a seemingly insurmountable land formation – all of which is best if you share the struggles and successes with someone.
The moments you create in your adventures is BEST when you share it with the people closest to you. We only live once, and we are also not living only for ourselves.
That’s why I made if a point that one of the best gifts I can give the people I love the most is to treat them to trips to new places we have not been to. Making those moments count and memorable adds flavor to the beauty of the whole adventure and life itself.
Like the recent trip I had in Hong Kong and Macau with my son, fiancee and grandmother. Who would have known that that would be the last leisure trip my Lola will have before half of her body gets paralyzed due to stroke.
PERSON YOU SEE and MEET
You’d likely remember the people who helped you find your way on a far-flung place, or maybe someone who assisted you on your way up to a boat, or even a seatmate on the plane ride to another country, I believe is no accident.
In my case, I am grateful that I am able to meet different types of people during my trips. People who are passionate on what they do. People who love nature. People who help the poor and oppressed. People who love their family.
All of them contribute to my evolution as a person. Some have heighten my intellectual while some stir my emotion and make me feel more human.
PERSON YOU BECOME
“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.”
Heraclitus
The best thing about an adventure is that after every adventure, you change, you are never the same again.
As for me, different travels, different activities, different learnings, different me.
Overall, the trips I take change me to be a more appreciative dweller, responsible citizen, and a better human being.
Adventures give me a deeper understanding of God’s grace and the gift of life. It wouldn’t be hard to fathom that life and time are two things you can’t take back anymore – so you learn to treasure and cherish every moment, knowing it won’t happen again.
“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”
Gustave Flaubert
Good thing that it has never been as easy and as fast as now in the history of men that capturing precious moments can be stored and carried in the smallest way possible – our smartphones.
IN SHORT
The success of your adventure is not a matter of how far or close you have reached nor how long or short the activities you’ve made.
The important thing is consciously knowing that your life itself is THE adventure. And the persons involve in the journey in your adventure matter. What would an adventure be like if there is no one to share it to?
You only live once, so you only have one shot to make the most out of the best adventure you could ever have… your life.
Treasure it. Make it count.
Rey Belen
