He often used his writing as a means of reflecting on experiences, lessons, and conversations, but today he wanted to try looking ahead to what would be an interesting few weeks he had ahead of him. Boarding a plane bound for the proverbial land of opportunity, the United States of America, he aimed to take another step towards the person he wanted to be and the work he aspired to do.
It amused him to consider the idea of travelling abroad and the potential it held for expanding whatever he was trying to achieve. Initially excited about the connections he could make and the people he could meet, upon reflection, this mindset made him ponder about his relationship and view towards home. Had he exhausted all possibilities at home? Explored everything within his space in Australia?
The simple and direct answer was no.
So, why should he feel a driving ambition to go elsewhere and tackle a new challenge when he hadn't fully conquered his own backyard?
This thought pattern led him down an unsurprising path of questioning his value—an issue he had written about multiple times and had become somewhat frustrated with over time. He was open about his thoughts and the conclusions drawn from these doubts, yet making the next leap to 'forget' or 'move on' was admittedly difficult. It provided a lesson not only for him but for anyone who heard his story.
The lesson for him was that expecting humans to change their thoughts or behaviors on the spot wasn't realistic. While some might immediately act upon his perspective or words, for the majority, it might take much longer. The message could remain consistent, but factors like time, situation, place, or method impacted how or when that message resonated.
For others, the lesson was about our shared humanity. We all had strengths and flaws, a beautiful aspect that leveled us all and emphasized the importance of learning from everyone's experiences, regardless of who they were.
He resolved to carry that second lesson with him over the next two weeks, hoping to meet and connect with many people during his travels. To those in LA or Kansas who might come across his writing, he had two things to offer: gratitude for encountering his story and an invitation to connect and catch up.