Making the Journey the Destination
This is the third post in a series by the Cooney family about their world travels, made possible by the flexible learning offered at FLVS.
“There once was a man who became unstuck in the world. He realized that he was not his car, he realized that he was not his job, he was not his phone, his desk or his shoes. Like a boat cut from its anchor, he’d begin to drift. He took the wind for a map, he took the sky for a clock, and he set off with no destination. He was never lost.” – Castles in the Sky
Seeing the world will change your life.
There is simply no way around it. Once you take the first step in your journey to understand a new culture, learn a different language, climb a higher mountain, or sail across a deeper sea, you will never be the same.
I can say without any reservations that many of the best times of my life were while traveling. This is not because I do not love where I live, but once you get the taste of adventure, you will always be looking for the next horizon.
Undeniably, travel will benefit you as a person and citizen of this world. You will learn to think for yourself, solve problems when things do not go your way, and understand that many of your dramas are negligible when compared to the struggles most others around the world face. Seeing more than your hometown, county, state, or even country, certainly puts things into perspective.
For me, one of the greatest gifts of travel are the friends made along the way.
I still do not quite understand how it happens, but it is as if the time you spend with someone while traveling is of greater initial impact than when meeting someone from “back home.” An example of this is the time we met a man in the middle of the Australian outback. We had spoken to him for five minutes before he invited our entire family to stay with him at his home more than 2,000 miles away in Sydney, where we were to be visiting two months later. Also, I remember the Brazilian friends we met for about 10 minutes, yet have kept in close contact with them for the last seven years. There are many such examples of friends met around the world, who after a short time become like family. I have theorized that it is because travelers are in a more open mindset, and you may have very little time to get to know each other or form opinions – good or bad. Like two ships passing alongside in a vast ocean, you have to make the most of the little communication you have.
Traveling around the world with my family has opened my eyes to what is possible.
I am no longer reserved about getting out in the world to explore. After the initial trip, sitting in one place is simply not possible. As said previously, I am always looking for the next horizon. From helping relocate crocodiles in Costa Rica, to living in Africa to protect wildlife, and even a trip to Norway, the adventures have continued and will always go on!
I sincerely hope each one of you reading this is inspired to get out there to explore the world!
This post was written by FLVS alumnus Morgan Cooney and is the third in a year-long series by the Cooney family. When not traveling or helping to protect wildlife and the environment, Morgan works for Brevard Ocean Rescue as a lifeguard. After graduating from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Environmental Studies, he plans to head to Australia for several months. His father, Mike Cooney, recently published a book about their family’s travels.
Visit www.cooneyworldadventures.com for more information about the book and their adventures or email mike@cooneyworldadventures.com.
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