Embracing Nature and Mindfulness: Reflections from Solo Travel

You know, we may be self-conscious, compare ourselves, feel less than, and see ourselves as unworthy or undeserving, but the moment we step out on nature’s playing field, all that external noise vanishes. At that point, it's you and Mother Nature.

Mother Nature is a very healing tool in our life of which we can take full advantage of. I believe the way society is taking advantage of it now is destroying it. But when I say take advantage of it, I mean, explore the parks, oceans, mountains, ancient ruins, etc.

Recently, when I was riding that 31-hour bus ride, sitting in front with a gorgeous view, I kept circling back to this thought: Let the driver do the work. You are the passenger. Enjoy the ride. Let the ride take you where it needs to take you. Don’t try to be the driver.

In other words, the driver is the universe and the universe always knows where to take you.

If we can't remove the layer of immense control and always need to know where everything is heading, we will miss the ride and the ride is obviously the best part!

Furthermore, everything ends…Truly everything in this life has an ending. The amazing plate of food, the coffee, the experience, the relationship, the cup of water, the travel journey, the notebook, the class, the hike, the education, the marriage, the business…If everything always ends and we know this, how can we take full advantage of the moment?

If we know nothing in this entire world lasts forever (except for energy) then what can we do? How can we improve ourselves in the moment with this fact of life? What is the secret to being so present that when the moment ends we can close our eyes and know we lived our very best? Reflections during a solo travel journey, which is essentially our entire life, are necessary for maintaining mindfulness and peace.

As I backpack the world solo, it comes to my attention that the following equation sheds light on how to show up as our best selves every day: Letting the driver do the work (our hearts) + being a passenger (using presence) + nature = following our highest path

Xoxo,

Chelsey