Nothing is constant when you are away from home and hopping from one place to the other. The scenes change, the people change – their behavior, their language, their culture, and customs are constantly changing as you continue along your journey. When you travel, you never know what you’ll find once you turn the corner. As much as you think you can plan, there will always be bumps along the way. When you travel, you are in unfamiliar territory. Embrace uncertainty, let go of control and enjoy the excitement, freedom from worries, and peace of mind it brings you. Uncertainty is most certain when you travel; embrace it and enjoy the trip. Carry this attitude back home, and go through life expecting nothing to remain the same. Embrace uncertainty and accept change, and be more at peace with yourself than ever before.
But only if you choose to be. Mindfulness is being able to concentrate on and be fully aware of what is going on in the present moment with a non-judgmental attitude. You do not attach a “good” or a “bad” tag to the experience. You take part in life as it unfolds around you without worrying about outcomes. Being mindful while traveling means enjoying the sights and sounds without worrying about the emails lying unread in your inbox. Being a mindful traveler means you appreciate where you are without comparing it—favorably or unfavorably—to what you’re used to back home. Mindfulness traveling lets you discover hidden joys and simple pleasures that otherwise remain hidden from view when you look with judgemental eyes and compare them with prejudiced views. It might be worth it to start practicing mindful meditation regularly to prepare your mind and spirit for a mindful travel experience. One of my favorite training videos is this one – a 20-minute guided mindfulness meditation practice.
