The Lord of the Rings fans will be sure to recognize this popular quote from J.R.R. Tolkien…
“Not all those who wander are lost.”
Often misquoted, this phrase brings a lot of depth to the meaning of travel, or making a journey such as the Fellowship did in The Lord of the Rings story. Sometimes we may appear to be travelling nowhere, without aim, but there is always a purpose. The mere act of wandering leads to increased knowledge, and with that, we are always arriving at a new destination. As long as you travel, you will be rewarded.
People are constantly traveling, spiritually and physically, especially during the holiday season. ‘Tis the season of visiting loved ones, making new year’s resolutions, etc. As you begin to make your holiday travel arrangements, pack bags, etc. I thought it would be appropriate to discuss the word travel in this week’s Weekend Word.
trav·el
ˈtravəl/
verb
- make a journey, typically of some length or abroad.
The definition of travel is short, yet full of meaning. Typically when we think of the word travel, we think of the physical act of moving/visiting different locations “abroad”. However, when you look at the definition, it also simply states “make a journey, typically of some length.” This suggests the journey doesn’t necessarily have to be physical. We are constantly making spiritual journeys as well.
Every time we take a step forward in life, set a new goal, learn something new, we are making the journey to a new destination.
Saint Augustine once said “The world is a book, and those who don’t travel only read one page.”
With this quote, he perfectly encapsulates the true meaning and goal of traveling. Just like when you read a book, when you travel, you increase your knowledge. Vacations are not just about having fun, but consciously or subconsciously, you are also becoming more aware about the world around you. As you travel, you learn more about other cities, countries, cultures. However, learning doesn’t necessarily require visiting new locations. Learning can happen anywhere so long as you have the tools to do so.
You don’t have to travel to Uganda to learn about the country in which our students live in. You can gain that knowledge from reading books and websites (such as ours). Our students may have never travelled around the world, but they’re certainly learning about it in school. They’re taking a journey in their mind, travelling to their next destination in life. They are setting goals and taking a journey towards independence. It is our goal to give them the tools and resources they need to get there.
So where are you currently traveling?
Wishing You a Safe Journey,
Cristen
