Traveling Lust
I recently returned from a journey around the Ireland island. I gathered two friends and a vehicle and ventured to cities and cliffs and beaches and pubs. And I loved it!
And I got back home and wanted to plan my next adventure!
But see that's the problem. I'm ALWAYS wanting to plan my next traveling trip. The current or previous traveling high fuels my desire for more. It fuels my lust for travel.
A lust that will never be fulfilled.
Of course, there's nothing wrong with traveling. Naturally, I'm a huge advocate for it. Obviously! It broadens perceptive, introduces you to new people and places and new ways of living and thinking (among many other reasons). Some of my most treasured experiences took place while traveling. But the constant longing and desire for it, well, that will never be fulfilled. Even if I were able to go everywhere and do everything, it'd never be enough. At least, not for me.
Wanderlust.
It's really quite a fitting word. From the brief, un-thorough research I did on the internet, the word did not appear in the English language until the beginning of the 20th century. Even more recently, traveling became an option for "common" people like you and me. It makes the world smaller and larger all at once. It makes the world more accessible and seeing more of it a reality. But it makes the enormity of our world more actualized from simply how vast and beautiful and rich and diverse it truly is.
And I want to see and experience as much of it as I am able. But not at the expense of feeding a desire that will never be satisfied. And not at the expense of it costing me the ability to remain present with the people I am currently with and places where I currently am. Though, I must work hard to not allow this to happen. There's a reason my blog is titled Wandering Heart. The reason is not intended to be hidden. I have a tendency to wander (in more ways than one) and I have a tendency to lust after the wandering experiences.
Fernweh.
It's a German word literally translated to "far-sickness" (as opposed to home-sickness). It's a desire and longing for far-off places. I've a tattoo of this. While some may question the wisdom in it (placing a tattoo on my body forever), it serves as a reminder to me that fernweh will always be a part of who I am in my person-hood, to recognize the traveling lust tendencies and to remain present where I am.
Which is what I must do now, even though all really want to do is quit my job and hike the Patagonia mountains! Or bike across the US! Or take a trip to New Zealand! (You see my problem!)
(Who wants to go with me?!)
I'll leave this with these last closing thoughts. (This is a much more rambling post then usually...)
"Do not despise the day of small things." These words appeared together in a book I am reading. Coming back from Ireland, my everyday life seems small and dull. However, there is purpose to these days. There is character and formation established in these small things. There is faithfulness to be lived and outpouring of love to be given in these "small things". I hope you and I don't forget that.
And I got back home and wanted to plan my next adventure!
But see that's the problem. I'm ALWAYS wanting to plan my next traveling trip. The current or previous traveling high fuels my desire for more. It fuels my lust for travel.
A lust that will never be fulfilled.
Of course, there's nothing wrong with traveling. Naturally, I'm a huge advocate for it. Obviously! It broadens perceptive, introduces you to new people and places and new ways of living and thinking (among many other reasons). Some of my most treasured experiences took place while traveling. But the constant longing and desire for it, well, that will never be fulfilled. Even if I were able to go everywhere and do everything, it'd never be enough. At least, not for me.
Wanderlust.
It's really quite a fitting word. From the brief, un-thorough research I did on the internet, the word did not appear in the English language until the beginning of the 20th century. Even more recently, traveling became an option for "common" people like you and me. It makes the world smaller and larger all at once. It makes the world more accessible and seeing more of it a reality. But it makes the enormity of our world more actualized from simply how vast and beautiful and rich and diverse it truly is.
And I want to see and experience as much of it as I am able. But not at the expense of feeding a desire that will never be satisfied. And not at the expense of it costing me the ability to remain present with the people I am currently with and places where I currently am. Though, I must work hard to not allow this to happen. There's a reason my blog is titled Wandering Heart. The reason is not intended to be hidden. I have a tendency to wander (in more ways than one) and I have a tendency to lust after the wandering experiences.
Fernweh.
It's a German word literally translated to "far-sickness" (as opposed to home-sickness). It's a desire and longing for far-off places. I've a tattoo of this. While some may question the wisdom in it (placing a tattoo on my body forever), it serves as a reminder to me that fernweh will always be a part of who I am in my person-hood, to recognize the traveling lust tendencies and to remain present where I am.
Which is what I must do now, even though all really want to do is quit my job and hike the Patagonia mountains! Or bike across the US! Or take a trip to New Zealand! (You see my problem!)
(Who wants to go with me?!)
I'll leave this with these last closing thoughts. (This is a much more rambling post then usually...)
"Do not despise the day of small things." These words appeared together in a book I am reading. Coming back from Ireland, my everyday life seems small and dull. However, there is purpose to these days. There is character and formation established in these small things. There is faithfulness to be lived and outpouring of love to be given in these "small things". I hope you and I don't forget that.
Comments
Post a Comment