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As you travel around this world, it is important that you share your good fortune with those that you meet along the way.
Kindness costs you nothing, but it provides you with the opportunity to make a real difference, not just in the life of the person your were kind to but in the lives of all those around you as you model how to be kind to others regardless of their race, gender, class, or any other factor.
I learned kindness from my Mum, Jenny. An incredible human with a heart so big it would boggle your mind! She taught me to believe in the goodness of others, and to treat people kindly, even if they choose not to.
Being the bigger person isn’t easy, but you’ll always come out best in the long run for doing it.
Whilst on the road… go out of your way to show kindness to those you meet. Your generosity will return tenfold… I guarantee it!
Taking the time to go out of your way for locals, whether to get to know them better or help a community in some fashion, is rewarding and memorable.
Volunteer… go on, I dare you.
It may end up being the most fulfilling experience of your life!
I once visited Great Sequoias that stood silent and tall, reminding of me how small we are and how short our time on this earth is.
What is it that you really want?
You will find it on your road, I’m sure.
But only through the support and kindness of others.
So be kind,
Respect nature
Respect culture
Support those around you, wherever you go.
Whoever they are.
When I was in Nha Trang, Vietnam I spent many an afternoon at an excellent Bun Me (pork salad roll) place, filling up on delicious food after my day at the beach… it was heaven!
The lady there was lovely and would always chat to me and sometimes even gave me extra roast pork. One day she told me how much she had to work (7 days) just to support her family and put her kids through school.
When I departed Nha Trang, I gave her 500 000 Dong (about $30 at the time). It was not much to me but it was roughly a week’s earnings to her and meant a lot.
Everywhere you go, there will be people who enrich your journey to make it truly memorable. The vast majority of those people are less fortunate than you, survive with less than you and likely struggle more than you… and yet their willing to share whatever they can with you!
It seems only reasonable that, as often as you can, you try to find a way to return the kindnesses you receive.
This could be as simple as writing a thank you note, helping around the house you’re a guest in, tipping, or inviting them to stay with you if they ever travel to your home country.
However, if you have the time, try to do something bigger.
Volunteer, teach a language abroad, become an aid worker, build or make something that lasts!