When I was in college, I was told that, "Cebu ra na siya kutob" (She's not going beyond Cebu). At that time, I didn't know exactly what it meant. It was until later on I realised that the person was saying that I will never get the chance to travel anywhere else because the person didn't see me succeeding. She didn't think I could actually make it in life - not that I would I equate success with travel, but that is how the person does believe it.
Years later, I had a handful of people asking me how I was able to travel and it all really boils down to the sheer will to save up and chances. I was lucky enough to be sent to the United States as an exchange student and the trips to Australia were all paid business trips. For the cheaper destinations, it really was pure will and a concrete plan to save up.
I didn't expect that I would actually prove that person wrong. The universe just gave me the many, many chances to build up a fulfilling life for myself.
Why am I telling you this story?
It's because I was made to think that success is measured by the stamps in your passport. I was made to think that they are successful and I was not because I have not been outside of the country or have been inside an airplane that time. I didn't expect then that I would have travels and lessons that I would be able to write about.
The world is now telling us that travel is a commodity. Travel gets rub into our faces that we sometimes feel bad of not being able to do it. Others drown in debt just to be able to say they have travelled. We're not treating travel the reality that it is after all a luxury.
In reality, if you're only getting by as much as you can and trying to ends meet, it will take months or even years to be able to save for a trip. If you are trying to reach more important goals or just simply trying to provide for yourself or your family, you should feel the same satisfaction as stepping in to a foreign place. Don't worry about travel, you will have the chance when you are financially able to do so. If for now staying is what life allows you, then staying is as precious as anything else.
There is no reason to feel bad about not being able to go anywhere. There is no reason to feel bad about not being able to afford it. It's not reasonable to be jealous of those who have other people or their credit cards paying for their trips. For a lot of us, we have to save up the little of the disposable income we have. If you're saving for a trip that you're fully paying yourself, then every single cent that you add to your travel funds is enough to be proud because it gets you closer to your goal.
Our lives are all paced differently. We have different priorities, different chances.
Your chance may not be now but don't give up hoping that someday it will.
For now, enjoy home and look forward to being someplace else one day.
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