I was blessed by parents who believed that travel was one of the greatest educational experiences they could provide. My childhood was flowered with national parks, city skylines, and exotic beaches. And then, at age twelve, I took a life-changing journey to Mexico to help feed the hungry.
The smell of fresh tortillas and homemade refried beans wafted through the air. The scorching sun beat down on us as we made our way to the center of the town square. As I turned to stand in my appropriate place on the small stage, I was enthralled with the site of the crowd gathering around us in anticipation and curiosity. I was 12 years old, in a country far away, and I had no idea the ripple effect this trip would have on the rest of my life.
As a child of the theater, to entertain and teach was the most precious commodity I could offer at a young age. And so, a small band of eager preteens from across the US set off for rural Mexico, to entertain, educate, and to serve.
Over the next three decades I continued to find joy and meaning in giving my time, talent and resources in this way. From building houses in Nicaragua to teaching financial literacy in Sierra Leone; from planting urban gardens in Baltimore to sorting books for Africa in Atlanta – the destination rarely mattered, it was the connections that made all the difference. I find giving back to be as selfish as it is selfless. What I can give to others pales in comparison to what I gain from others and learn about myself.
Travel of all varieties has proven to be priceless to who I am as a human. It teaches me culture and traditions, vulnerability and open-heartedness, creativity and solitude. I have been privileged to witness the best of humanity and the evil of the worst. I believe each and every experience is an investment in my future self, albeit of a different kind – the intrinsic kind that can neither be fully explained nor fully appreciated by anyone but me and those working beside me.
It is my literal take on my favorite Robin Sharma quote: Life is a mirror. And life gives us not what we want, life gives us who we are.
But what if service work is not your calling? What does “intentional travel” mean for you? How can you tap into a deeper mental, emotional, spiritual and physical benefit from travel? Think about these three intentionality tips below as you plan your next adventure.
Step 1: Ignite Passion. We all have hobbies or interests that excite us. With a bit of advance planning, you can combine a trip to follow your passions while exploring a new landscape or culture. It might make for an altered itinerary but it will not only relieve stress but leave a lasting impression on your memory for years to come.
Step 2: Get Active. My very favorite thing to do on trips is wake up early and run through a city I am not familiar with at dawn. There is something magical about the quiet of a normally bustling metropolis that gives you a completely different perspective. I have seen sunrises from lavender fields in California, the Brooklyn Bridge in NYC, Lincoln Memorial in DC, and Jackson Square in New Orleans. And you don’t have to be a runner. Many of the most impactful global experiences have a level of physicality. Find activities off the beaten path, or ones that make you break a sweat. You will leave exhausted but exhilarated.
Step 3: Find Reflection. Too many times we rush through the planned activities of a trip, only to get home and forget half of what we saw or experienced. Building into the itinerary time to reflect on your experiences. I bring a journal everywhere I go.
Whether you are immersing yourself in the villages of Nepal or lounging on a catamaran in the Greek Isles, being intentional about the time we take to adventure will make each experience richer and more meaningful.
Melanie is the author of Incongruent: Travel, Trauma, Transformation. She has traveled to 45 countries in her efforts to help others. https://melaniesuehicks.pressfolios.com