People travel for all sorts of reasons, and beyond work or vacation, you start to get into really interesting themes to why people travel when and where. I’ve traveled for vacation when I was younger, then as I got older, I wanted to experience different cultures. After awhile of experiencing over 25 different cultures, I wanted to slow things down and focus on beautiful places, hence how my photography gallery came to be what it is. Then, as I read more, thought deeper about life, culture and what meant a lot to me, I began traveling with specific themes and goals in mind.
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It doesn’t get much better than traveling the world, for seeing new places, meeting new people and experiencing new things can be one of the greatest joys in living. But for me, I found the most joy in the growth of the self throughout my travels abroad. I realized what drove me wasn’t to see the next great church or museum, but rather to continue to push myself to be better, to be more, to see more and to think deeper. For if you grow as you wander, consciousness and all that is being alive grows, and each moment becomes sweeter, the connection grows stronger, and the meaning digs deeper within you. Let me try and explain…
Defining Magical [maj-i-kuhl]:
1. Beautiful or delightful in such a way as to seem removed from everyday life. 2. Mysteriously enchanting. To me, a magical destination isn’t so much a place of great mystique, or a destination loaded with lore and epoch fantasy, it’s a place that transforms my mind, beliefs, and understanding of my own existence. These places are almost always serendipitous at best, surprising you with their beauty, immensity, emotion, and power. Typically, I visit areas of the world that are known for their natural beauty, for as a photographer, I’m drawn to these types of lands. As a writer, these are the regions of the world that tend to inspire me the most – they play upon my hopes and dreams, bringing forth my fears, judgements, and inhibitions, while tempting me to feel and to understand. I leave with part of my soul left behind, as I am forever romantically intertwined and intimate with these kinds of destinations. 20,404 miles (32,837 kilometers), 20 countries, 201 nights, 73 different beds.
A journey can be as simple as a traditional rite of passage, and as monumental as a life changing, soul empowering path. For me, my European trip of 2013 changed me, tremendously. It took me, and left me alone, with only myself, as I am, without barrier or judgement, nor ego. Once raw and unsheltered, I realized so many beautiful harmonies and jives of this world, as well as the meaning of life, and I knew exactly what I wanted out of my time here. There were points of agony, and tinges of grief, because when all began to clear, I could perceive who I was – my short fallings and potentials were evident to me. And even though moments like that of a soft trauma, came and went, a new day always prevailed. My travels refined me, softening my angers, tearing away my judgements, and dictating away my confusions and my complexities – little was unclear about my life, my past traumas and defining moments were relived, slowly and with pain, but there always was victory, through hope and compassion. As compassion came and went, understanding was left in the wake. Without you, my lovely readers and precious supporters – more like my friends – I would not be able to do what I love or be able to travel the world as I do… And I wanted to take the time to let you know how I appreciate you so!
“The most worrisome tragedy in life is the death of inspiration, where the value in living is lost and wild spirit ceases to cling to life. As if the eyes that had once seen and dreamed and lusted for color now glaze over and go forth unseeing. There is no greater sadness than the crushing of a soul, where fire that once burned oh so bright, dies and smolders forevermore.”
–Brandon Elijah Scott, Eye & Pen. |
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