The Art of Travel

There is something about deserts that makes you think.  Perhaps it is their vast emptiness that allows for clarity and perspective.  The stretching landscape reveals everything and is exposed to all eyes; whereas a first is deep and mysterious, perfect for secrets.

I say this because I am currently driving from California to Salt Lake and we just passed Barstow (my dad calls it the armpit of America).  That means we have a lot of driving time left, and a lot of desert to cover.  I find myself staring out the window at the cracked earth and scattered shrubs, and for some reason it pulls my mind into thinking.  This is what always happens.

So here's what I'm thinking about... (drum roll please)



What is art?  What standards must be achieved to classify something as art?  I believe that art is a way to become immortalized.  Whatever that may be...

So how does one make traveling through life a work of art?  Our lives are not made out of our shining, fleeting moments of success or pleasure; but rather our daily journeys that at times seem monotonous and unimportant.  Journeys to Costco, class, appointments, work, etc.  The daily routine that eventually makes up an entire lifetime.

It is how we react in these everyday situations that creates an artful life.  It is how you view these dull activities that fabricate a lifestyle.  I see that if you go through life not caring about which crowd you are in or what your label is, you will find yourself surrounded by loved ones and happy beyond measure.  If your ignorant judgement of others does not decide how you will act, life can be brilliant.

Speaking to those who travel abroad: international or extended travel reminds us of our own insignificance.  It makes our own petty worries shrink and our eyes focus on a grander picture.  It can open minds to new ideas, give a better picture of what we want out of life, and show how blessed we are.

To all: our daily journeys to the supermarket are even more important than world-wide travel.  President Hinckley once said, "The gates of heaven swing on small hinges."  It's the little things that count, beginning with how we view others.  Seeing them as equal in worth is key.  When you see them as inferior, pride leads you to become angry, irritated, or indifferent toward them.  When superior, you feel self-conscious and not confident.  And believe me, people can tell the way you view them.

The art of travel is simply a way of saying "how to go through life and achieve the greatest amount of true joy possible."