Friday, January 06, 2006

Fine Tuning

Having poured over every available resource, my itinerary has ended up looking exactly like I didn't want it to - jam packed full of tourist hotspots. Over the past weeks I have come full circle in my thinking and got very clear about my reasons for going in the first place. Aside from my own questions and personal growth goals, the main reason for my trip is other people. I need to walk a mile in as many people's shoes as possible. I want to experience how life is for a frighteningly large number of people in the world: a struggle for survival. And, having done this, I want to be able to convey that struggle to ordinary people like me back home.

It's easy for us to see a World Vision advert on tv and say "oh yes, isn't it terrible, the poor darlings" , pat ourselves on the back for being so compassionate and then toddle off to the nearest restaurant for a 4 course meal; to feel magnanimous for putting $10 in the collector's jar and then spending $100 on a weekend booze-fest. We need to wake up and get real. This is life for millions of people and no amount of justification can hide the fact that we play at least a small part in creating that environment as consumers in Western society. We are responsible to some degree and therefore obliged to act for the simple reason that, as a global community, we are only as strong as our weakest link - that link could just as easily have been us.

So I hope you will follow my journey and that I will manage to provide you with some food for thought. I intend to basically follow the 'tsunami trail', visiting orphanages and volunteering where I can. I hope to donate some tools, medical & education equipment, toys and clothes along the way - maybe even a goat or two!

posted by Peaceful Pilgrim @ 9:37 AM 4 comments

The Grand Plan

Having just spent the better part of week planning a detailed itinerary I am back to square one, having greatly amused the travel agent with my 10 page travel plans. They have kindly informed me that "you can't do it that way" logic...who needs it anyway! The first of what I am sure will be many humbling experiences as I learn how things work on the travel scene. I have also been assured that there is no way in hell I will complete my 3 month expedition without becoming violently ill somewhere along the way - just great, especially for someone who is terrified at the mere thought of losing control of bodily functions in public settings.
I know that I will be challenged in every way. I am the first to whine about heat, hunger, stench, discomfort, noise pollution and people getting in my face. Hmmm...Indonesia, Thailand, India & Sri Lanka in the hot season shouldn't be too much of a problem right?
On the up-side, despite the gut wrenching fear & trepidation about what I have got myself into, I actually feel half alive for a change. Even the daily grind at work has become more bearable with the knowledge that it is getting me closer to acheiving my goals.

posted by Peaceful Pilgrim @ 9:28 AM 1 comments

What's This Life For?

32 years and here's how far I have got with this eternal question:
1. I am not "God" - a real shame as I had such great plans for the place.
2. 32 years and I still haven't got over this wee revelation.
3. It's not about me - another tough bit of news to digest.
4. Increasingly, the world is becoming a messed up place.
5. If you ain't part of the solution, you're part of the problem.
6. I have a unique set of character traits, abilities (yes plural!) and experiences that can be put to good use towards a solution.
7. I cannot live in my small, safe, cozy little world, knowing that I could do something, but failing to do so due to apathy, selfishness or fear.
8. A life lacking integrity, lived purely for oneself, is no life.
9. Life is about relationship - to our self, to our environment, family, friends and higher powers and principles. Life without connection to 'other(s)' is meaningless and pointless.
10. I need to get a life - the life I was born to live.
...thats about all I have so far. All pretty general stuff. When it comes to specifics I know nothing: Where do I fit in the grand scheme of things? What am I supposed to be doing, how, where and who with - What do I want to be when I grow up?
The "What's this life for" Tour is just another stepping stone in my quest for some answers. It marks a new phase in my life - one where I take responsibility for my choices and direction, make decisions & act on them and challenge myself in a very real way to step out of my comfort zone, abandoning my excuses & self-imposed restrictions, in order to fully utilise my talents, in service of others.
I have never travelled, much less on my own, but I have travelled through this life largely on my own strength. I know that if I fall I usually land on my feet and if I don't, I know that I always get back up again. That's about all I have at my disposal as I journey into the complete unknown. So... if you are on a similar journey, or even if you a closet sadist who enjoys watching other people stumble & trip - come along for the ride!

posted by Peaceful Pilgrim @ 8:50 AM 2 comments