travel

What is a Vacation? You Can Do It Right Here, Right Now

| johnas9000

One of the biggest aspects or renewal factors of a vacation is that you are someplace different. Consider this: we all have 70,000 thoughts a day and 80% of them are the same as yesterday. We wake up in the same bed. We use the same coffee maker and make our coffee the exact same way. We have other countless routines. But these routines bring up routine thoughts. You pick up your phone, call the same friend or relative that you know might be up early. That person might suck you into a political conversation, or whatever. Are you starting to get the picture?

The Renewal Aspect of a Vacation

The renewal aspect of a vacation is not that you are in Paris or the Bahamas; it’s that you are someplace else, stimulating different thoughts. I remember one day when I was living on 59th and 1st in NYC. I walked out of my building and challenged myself to simply walk two blocks and notice things I never saw before. I remember it like it was yesterday, even though it might have been 30 years ago. I might as well have been walking down the Champs Elysee.

I looked up at buildings I had walked past for 20 years. I noticed they were all four- to five-story walk-ups with interesting cornices at the top. I never even noticed how many stores and restaurants were in that one block, as I usually went straight to the Chinese or sushi place. There were actually a few other nooks and crannies I had never seen before. I was so lost in the thought of noticing things I had never seen before, it was literally like a vacation. Normally, I would purposely walk down that street for 20 years, seeing nothing and planning or worrying about my day. It’s that simple. Think differently.

Ways to Take a Vacation Right Now

  • Meditate: Meditation can help clear your mind and bring fresh perspectives.
  • Reconnect: Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in years.
  • Play a Sport: Engage in a sport you haven’t played in years.
  • Take a Class: Enroll in a class on something of interest to you.
  • Learn a Language: Even try the first free module.
  • Get Involved: Engage in someone else’s life outside of your small circle.
  • Listen to Something New: Discover new music or podcasts.
  • Walk a Different Path: Walk down a street you’ve never walked down before.
  • Rediscover Your Routine: Walk down the same street but challenge yourself to see things you never saw before. Look only at the rooftops (PS: don’t trip).

The Uncomfortable but Renewing Experience

Creating the renewal of a vacation can be as simple as changing your routine. It might be uncomfortable, but that is the renewal aspect of a vacation. When you’re in Paris, you don’t know where you’re going to get a coffee, how to order it, how much it will cost, or what it will taste like. Your mind is 100% occupied with new and different things, and for most of us, that is a “break” or a vacation from the boredom and the unpleasant aspects of our daily routine.

Conclusion

You don’t need to travel far to experience the renewal of a vacation. By simply changing your routine and thinking differently, you can stimulate new thoughts and experiences that refresh your mind and spirit. So take a trip down a different path, engage in new activities, and see the world around you with fresh eyes. Your vacation can start right here, right now.

Are You on the Road Less Travelled, Most Travelled, or Not Travelled?

| johnas9000

The book “The Road Less Travelled” sparked a movement towards meditation and self-reflection. It’s great to reflect on your life and your soul, but what about the actual path you’re on? The road we choose in life shapes our experiences, our happiness, and our fulfillment. So, let’s explore the roads most travelled, less travelled, and not travelled at all, along with their benefits and pitfalls.

The Road Most Travelled

This path is well-worn and widely accepted by society. It often includes marrying within one’s culture and religion, settling down, having a stable job, and following societal norms.

Benefits:

  • Predictability: Provides a stable, predictable life.
  • Support System: Surrounded by like-minded people and a strong community.
  • Less Risk: Fewer unknowns and generally fewer risks.

Pitfalls:

  • Lack of Exploration: May leave you wondering about life outside the bubble.
  • Conformity Pressure: Pressures to conform can stifle individual growth and creativity.
  • Potential for Regret: Following a set path without questioning may lead to mid-life crises or regrets.

I often think about what my life would have been like if I had taken this road. My parents wanted me to marry a nice girl within our culture and religion, which likely would have led to a peaceful life. But I always questioned everything and still do. Considering the high divorce rate, the road most travelled might not work for everyone.

The Road Less Travelled

This path involves questioning societal norms, exploring different lifestyles, and often pursuing passions that aren’t mainstream.

Benefits:

  • Self-Discovery: Provides opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery.
  • Fulfillment: Pursuing passions and interests can lead to deep fulfillment.
  • Innovation: Encourages creativity and original thinking.

Pitfalls:

  • Uncertainty: Constant unknowns and instability.
  • Isolation: Can be lonely and isolating, as fewer people understand or support your choices.
  • Risk: Higher risk of failure and facing numerous challenges.

I always wondered what life would be like on this path. Despite the unknowns and perils, this road is filled with excitement and exhilaration. However, life comes with no guarantees, and it’s like a puzzle with an unknown picture, regardless of the path you choose.

The Road Not Travelled

This is the path of constant adventure and discovery, where you forge your way through unknown territories and create your own rules.

Benefits:

  • Excitement: Constant novelty and adventure.
  • Independence: Complete freedom to chart your own course.
  • Unique Experiences: Rich, diverse experiences that few others have.

Pitfalls:

  • High Risk: Extreme uncertainty and potential for significant setbacks.
  • Loneliness: Often a solitary journey with limited support.
  • Stress: High levels of stress and the need for constant decision-making.

I’ve often said I wish my brain allowed me to join the union, get married to a “nice” girl, settle down in Staten Island or NJ, have kids and a dog, and watch my family multiply. But my brain craves adrenaline, endorphins, and dopamine. My life will continue on the road not travelled, filled with excitement, novelty, and adventure.

Reflection and Balance

Regardless of the path you’re on, it’s valuable to step onto the opposite road occasionally. If you’re on the road most travelled, try something new or different. If you’re on the road not travelled, take a break and spend some time on the comfortable, well-worn path. It’s okay to take a break from fighting dragons and navigating the unknown jungle every day.

A Proposal for Reflection

Reflect on the road you’re on and consider taking a few steps on the opposite path. Life is a journey with no guarantees, and exploring different roads can provide a richer, more fulfilling experience. Embrace the adventure, the stability, or the novelty that each path offers, and find your own unique way to navigate through life.

P.S. Whether you are aware of it or not, you are on the road not travelled. Every little thing that made you who you are is unique. No one had the exact same parents as you. Were they domineering, demanding, not around, divorced, loving, nasty, abusive? No one went to the same kindergarten, grade school, high school, and college as you. No one had all the same teachers and coaches you had. Even if you had an identical twin, your paths diverged here and there. So, enjoy your road.

And when is it time to create a road that literally doesnt exist but is of your making.

Shit for Brains: The Most Common Path to Success

| johnas9000

Yes, original thinking leads to amazing things like the lightbulb, Tesla, and other great inventions. But you might argue that even Apple started as a mismatch of the Sony Walkman and Blackberry. The more common route to success I’ve witnessed requires suspending all critical thinking and blindly following a formula. It’s not glamorous, but it works. Let’s dive into why “shit for brains” might just be the most reliable path to success.

The Common Path: Shit for Brains

Franchises: The Recipe for Wealth

Take franchises, for example. They’re a goldmine if you follow the rules. McDonald’s even has a university to ensure franchisees do everything by the book. Divergent thinking? Not allowed. Stick to the formula, and you’re set for life.

Multilevel Marketing (MLM) Companies

Then there’s Amway and other MLMs. People have made untold fortunes by following the company’s script without applying any of their own critical thinking. Just do what they tell you, and you could end up wealthy.

Real Estate and Courses

Consider your friend who took a course on flipping houses or accumulating real estate. They didn’t think; they just followed the steps. If their timing was right, and they hit a boom period in real estate, they’re probably sitting on millions now.

Anecdotal Evidence: The Mainframe Distributor

I’ll never forget my childhood friend who got a distributorship for large mainframe computers in the seventies. He didn’t dot every I or cross every T, and some of his computers ended up in Russia. He had to clear up his troubles in DC later, but he’s obscenely rich now. Not thinking and just plowing ahead worked out for him.

The Middle Path: Challenges and Realities

Most of us fall somewhere in the middle, balancing between blind conformity and radical originality. This middle path is tricky. It requires you to follow some guidelines while thinking outside the box just enough to make improvements or find unique solutions.

The Road Not Travelled: The Thrill of Divergence

Then there’s the road not travelled, filled with excitement and unknowns. For some of us, like me, this path is where we find our joy. It’s not always the way to immense wealth, but it’s rich with personal fulfillment and adventure.

Embracing Originality

Those of us who love the road not travelled have what I call a mismatching brain. We crave exploration and innovation, even if others don’t always understand us. It’s a lonelier path, but incredibly rewarding when our ideas catch on.

Personal Happiness: The Traditional Route

I’m sure some of you have friends who followed the traditional marriage route. They married through arranged marriages or chose partners within their community, religion, or culture. Many of them went on to have extremely happy, successful lives surrounded by like-minded people. This route, too, can lead to personal happiness and fulfillment, reinforcing the idea that following a well-known path without questioning can lead to a happy and successful life.

Conclusion: Two Paths to Success

In summary, both paths—the shit for brains route and the road not travelled—are valid routes to success. The former is reliable and often leads to wealth and happiness by following proven formulas. The latter is for those who seek excitement and fulfillment through originality.

For those of us who thrive on the unconventional, the road not travelled offers a richness of experience that conventional paths lack. It may not always lead to immense wealth, but it brings joy and discovery.

A Proposal for Reflection

So here’s my proposal: either follow the well-known path without question or embrace original thinking to become a one-in-a-billion innovator. Reflect on where you stand and choose the journey that fits your personality and aspirations. For me, the road not travelled is where I find my excitement and joy, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Next time, let’s delve deeper into the joy and challenges of the road not travelled. For those of us who love adventure and the unknown, it’s a journey worth every step.