To be on the way, traveling the world, get to know cultures and discover new places. As a sophisticated world traveler I really love nothing more than that. But why? Am I looking for happiness or do I simply have an insatiable appetite for travel? And will I ever find that bit of happiness I think I'm missing somewhere? Will I ever be able to be completely satisfied and happy anywhere?
When I look at myself this year (for the first time) I came to the conclusion that coming home can also be nice. After an overwhelmingly beautiful journey through Kenya en Uganda which I thoroughly enjoyed, for the first time I was also happy to come home again. I didn't know that feeling at all. Your own bed, a decent shower, drinking water from the tap and the many other luxury things we have here The Netherlands take it for granted. Never before had I experienced this feeling, it came as a surprise to me too. I had to be on the road first to experience this feeling.
Finding happiness in life is often in the small things. You often overlook them and traveling or being on the road helps you to get your feet back on the ground for a while.
Finding happiness is different for everyone, but being on the road can help you find your destination, wherever or with whomever. A beautiful poem by Rudi JP Lejaeghere.
En route
I've looked everywhere
in the farthest corners,
between foreign peoples
and in inaccessible regions.
I have turned stones,
buildings demolished
and fruitless mysteries explored.
In vain have I questioned scientists,
analyzed the opinions of philosophers,
commuted to soothsayers and water diviners…
…nothing brought me closer to the truth.
I've read thousands of books
surfed the internet and its countless websites,
even tried yoga and meditation,
unfortunately without result.
Could I have traveled in time,
I had the oracle of Delphi
asked for wise advice.
Nothing could bring me closer
at what I was looking for.
And then I came home again
not one step closer to my goal.
I thought so, but guess what,
then I saw my wife,
my children
and a home and I finally found
what I was looking for.
© Rudi JP Lejaeghere
Also read this poem: Travel, I miss it. I miss it so much. A letter to distant destinations
