This has been a season of change filled with a few transitions for me and my family. As I’ve navigated my next steps, one of the things I decided to do was increase my personal and professional traveling. I believe traveling opens our minds and gives a firsthand perspective of world views. I knew this decision would require sacrifice, commitment and flexibility on my part, but as I am halfway through the year it has been more than rewarding. My adventures have included stepping out of my comfort zone and attending different types of self- improvement conferences and classes that will ultimately help me improve my skillset and provide direction to better fulfill my purpose and passion.
Traveling across the country as well as abroad allows one to take in a variety of opinions and perspectives. Understanding different attitudes and points of view can help navigate the awkwardness of sensitive topics that I was curious to discuss. As I traveled through various parts of Italy and Greece recently, I had the opportunity to share my thoughts about forgiveness, humanity, hope, peace, love and happiness to a variety of people and what I found is that all of us have the same basic concerns. One of those concerns pertains to the direction the world and mankind is headed in today’s political and global climate, but overall people still believe in humanity and that goodness will prevail.
Martin Luther King, Jr. said in a Letter from the Birmingham Jail, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”Across the globe, injustice towards so many still runs rampant. In 2018, right here in the United States, we are faced with a rise in racism and basic human rights being challenged and placed on the chopping block. We are actually stepping back in time. Internationally, as well as here in America, issues such as sex trafficking, safety, homelessness, economic inequality and healthcare to name just a few still run rampant without solutions. We must realize what affects our brother or sister will eventually have a profound effect on our own lives. We must care and do our part to help improve the situation and make the world a better place for all.
As much as I enjoy traveling the world, and plan to continue, there is a “world” all around us no matter where we go. Right in our own backyards is a global community. Truth be told we all (except the American Indian) are immigrants (travelers) in one form or another. An immigrant is a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country. At one time or another in history America was a foreign country and our fore fathers came here either of their own free will or by force. Our roots are established here originally as immigrants. For those who leave here (or their home of origin) and become expats, in reality you too are a form of an “immigrant.” As I shared in my opening, traveling has the ability of opening our minds to understanding issues from various perspectives. Explore for yourself. Don’t let the opinions of others (including mine) determine your entire perspective. It’s a great big world out there. Don’t be afraid to see the world through the lens of your own eyes.
Healing Without Hate: It’s a choice. It’s a lifestyle. Pass it on!
Visit www.WendyEnterprises.com and www.forgivingforliving.org. Wendy is a coach, consultant and speaker. You may email her at [email protected].
