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I believe that in everyone's life, they have asked themselves what their purpose of life is, some people find it early in their life, and some people search their whole life to find it. That question has crossed my mind a million times over again and yet everytime I find myself at a stage of confusion. I took this trip to not only explore the world, to learn about the people and their culture but to find out what my purpose of life is. I was hoping that I would find it during the trip, it would hit me and I would figure it out instantly, but that didn't happen.
I realized that searching for that one answer stopped me from seeing it. The third month passed and I stilled didn't see it. I thought I would never find it. Finally, in Miami it hit as I left the boat that morning with tears in my eyes and in my heart; an emotion I never thought I had came over me. I realized that to live a life searching for the purpose, life then becomes purposeless. Instead, live your life like there is no tomorrow, but to know that there is a future ahead waiting.
Semester at Sea is by far the best thing I've ever done in my life. I see the world so differently now. In fact, I see everything globally and from a perspective outside of myself. I came back to Seattle feeling a little out of place, like many do when they come back from traveling in far lands. Things that were important to me before didn't seem to be as important. I have gotten less stressed about many things that used to bother me. I have become even more relaxed and in a state of complete happiness at times. *sigh* Life has been good.
Anyhow...below is something I wrote when I was on the ship during the last week.
December 14, 1999
My perspective of life has definitely changed. I came into this voyage hoping that I find what was missing in my life. I wasn't sure and I am still not sure of what it is but now I can say that I have a better understanding of what it is.
I have always been a traveler and I feel like I know quite a bit about what's out there. I can't say that I do now. I see the world in such a different way; it is merely impossible for any other who has not gone on this trip to understand. I see and understand what poor really means and what it feels like to be starved. I can feel the tension of war and hatred like I never could imagine that I would. History is now reality and something that I can relate to. Buildings and images have meaning and underneath stories that I can now comprehend. I understand the importance of money and how difficult it is to attain it. I value the little things in life that I have taken for granted.
From what I've learned, what is it that I am looking for in my life? I am not sure but I now know what's valuable to me. I have always thought I knew all that is valuable to me but in fact, I don't. I now value the simple things in life like a glass of fresh water, or a pair of clean clothes. I value the friends that I have and the friends that I have made. I value good food or food that I have. But what I value the most is the life that I have.
---------**************I hope you enjoyed my Journey***********---------