There are two types of people in the world: those who want to travel — people who yearn for distant lands but never have the courage to set off; and those who love to travel, decisive and resolute, never letting the world wait.
So, why do more and more people love to travel? Bi Shumin said: Everyone is born a tadpole, and grows up to be a frog at the bottom of a well. That isn’t your fault, just your limitation — but you must find a way to transcend it. To understand the world, you must go far away.
Perhaps our current state is this: working desperately, earning money frantically, and searching desperately for a sense of security, yet we lack the courage to step out and see the vast world outside — to sit around a campfire, drinking and singing.
Most of us are submerged in the torrent of city life, day after day, buried in tiny cubicles; time takes away many things, and maybe our appearances haven’t aged, but our hearts have grown barren. We numbly confine ourselves to pigeonhole-like office buildings, wasting our days in confusion and drift.
Time has passed, and passed again, yet we’ve never stopped to listen to our own hearts, to watch how a tree grows, how the river flows, how the clouds drift, how dew condenses, to feel our own breath, to begin a life without skyscrapers or traffic jams, one that only has blue skies, white clouds, clean air, and a leisurely pace.
But we’ve never actually started such a life.
I wonder if, at this moment, you’re longing to set off like I am — buying a one-way ticket, putting on travel shoes, slinging on a backpack, going to see the sea, experiencing the local culture, or heading to the countryside to breathe in nature’s freshness.
Hemingway said: “If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.”
The meaning of travel is not to escape temporarily, but to encounter a better version of yourself along the way.
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People who travel often have seen more of the world, experienced more of human nature, developed broader minds, and don’t nitpick over trivial matters. They don’t obsess over life’s hardships, nor do they wallow in negativity. When facing setbacks and failures, they bounce back faster.
Their hearts become steadier, less reliant on others, trusting in their ability to handle life’s storms.
Indeed, when one has walked through many unfamiliar cities and crossed countless mountains and rivers, they come to understand how small life is — and how precious what we have truly is.
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On the journey of travel
Appearance stems from the heart. To look young, mindset matters far more than expensive skincare products, and travel helps people cast off negative emotions and get closer to nature.
During a trip, you’ll see different scenery, encounter nature’s most genuine beauty, and your mood will brighten. With smiles often on your face, your appearance naturally stays youthful.
Time passes, and youth fades, but only those who, as they age, have seen more sights and experienced more stories can resist the erosion of time and become even more captivating.
The best way to keep the soul forever young is to stay “on the road.” No matter how far you go, walk a little more, explore more unknown places, feel different mountains and waters, and embrace diverse cultures. This is the meaning of travel.
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People who enjoy traveling plan their time and budget wisely, knowing which places are worth staying in longer and which are just for a brief stop. They never waste unnecessary time or money and still reach the destinations they most want to see.
Most of these people are very good at managing life, ideal for deep friendships and family life, because they always bring a strong sense of security.
Making friends with someone who loves to travel may not guarantee your world will always be bathed in sunshine, but they can bring warmth to all four seasons of your life. Most importantly, they’ll take you to see a different world.
On the road of travel, you’ll encounter many surprises and touching moments, meet many people, and perhaps some of them will become friends later. A casual greeting or a friendly stranger offering directions can quickly bring people together.
Of course, not everyone will become a friend. Meeting is just a beautiful beginning. Keep talking if you get along, exchange contact info, or just wave goodbye if not, continue on your way, and head toward your own distant horizon.
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A touch of green
One can be materially poor, but never spiritually bankrupt.
Actually, the greatest benefit of travel isn’t how many roads you’ve walked, how many people you’ve met, how many beautiful sights you’ve seen, or how many delicious meals you’ve eaten — it’s that along the way, you rediscover yourself, finding a long-lost sense of wonder in an unfamiliar place.
Travel should be the most worthwhile investment a person can make. It’s not just about seeing scenery, but about encountering a richer, more vibrant version of yourself in a new environment.
On the journey, everyone shows their most genuine and relaxed side. You’ll often see faces smiling brighter than children’s, and you can play freely, as if you were a child again.
There, you don’t need to wear elaborate makeup or pretend to be polished 24/7. You only need to admire the scenery, eat and drink to your heart’s content. There, you don’t need to constantly read the room or carefully manage everyone’s feelings. You just chat carelessly with friends. There, there are no people weighing on your mind, no situations that suddenly make you fall silent. You are reborn — with a new soul, a new mindset, living another version of yourself.
We must always go out more, touch the unknown more, or else we'll become dull and numb. What you gain during your travels is something only you can know.