Wanderlust is best understood as an inherent desire that burns within and beckons to explore and seek out the elusive sense of euphoria that’s amplified in a foreign destination. It’s a concept that resonates so strongly because travel provides one of the most effective outlets to pursue the true source of happiness that is a new experience.
One of my constant concerns growing up has been how to best avoid becoming one of those people who gets ‘stuck.’ It’s easy to get trapped on a predictable path that never leads beyond the familiar, with regard to both experiences and physical location. This played a significant role in my motivation to relocate to Nashville last year. A major move was the catalyst for change that I was seeking.
Nostalgia can be many things. It’s the feeling of the first spring day when the sun starts to warm your bones after a long winter, reminding you of the endless possibilities of the impending summer. Nostalgia is also the song that was the soundtrack to an early heartbreak, whose lyrics rang truer than even your own words...
Average life expectancy in the United States is close to 80 years, 78.74 to be precise. Most of us don’t quite achieve octogenarian status. Life expectancy has seen a boost in the past century but regardless of how you look at it, we’re working with a relatively short period of time here. What is important is that with this brief moment, we enjoy our lives, take advantage of our opportunities, and lead a life we find happiness in.
Experiences throughout life are often (not always) better shared. Most people, even my fellow introverts, crave some level of human interaction. It’s a core part of our being. However, this desire can also prove blinding and counterproductive at times, especially when it’s channeled as desperation to find a significant other. This is most evident of those in their 20s, a decade that from its onset seems to be a sprint towards marriage.
Change is at every turn in life. While each situation presents unique obstacles, the one constant is change. There’s no real way around it. If you’re trying to get from point A to point B, it’s inherent to the process. Life then becomes either a matter of prolonging the inevitable change and drawing it out over an extended period of time, or ripping the Band-Aid off and embracing it…
A few weeks ago, I listened to a segment on NPR titled "The Town Where Everyone Talks about Death.” I’ve seen a few fellow NPR nerds discussing the piece on social media and am delighted to see it has generated quite a bit of buzz. The story focuses on La Crosse, Wisconsin, population of just over 50,000, and their unified focus on the importance of advance directives and meaningful conversations about death.
