Traveling = Energy balance

Guest Opinion

Dec. 2, 2017

Having been fortunate enough to have spent the majority of my life in northern Michigan, an area well known as both a summer, and winter tourist /resort destination,  I have come to the conclusion that — wait for it — people, as a rule, from all cultures and corners of the world, have both a lust and absolute need for travel.

E'gre'gors (commonly refered to locally as “fudgies,” or my personal favorite, “cone lickers”),  have long realized that our bodies and minds need to be in constant motion. We long to form fresh impressions. And all of us need a regularly scheduled adjustment or chance for real perspective on our daily lives. It is as an important, integral, and beneficial part of our lives as actual physical motion itself.

When leaving a vacation locale that has had a substantial positive impact, whether it be aesthetic, emotional, or some other aspect of one's journey, the thought of, “I wonder what it would be like to live here,” seems ubiquitous. 

The fact is we are all constantly under the influence of our daily lives and the stresses on our energy systems, even when one is so fortunate as to live in an area that so many others envision as idyllic. The stresses can possess different qualities, both negative and positive, but the main thing is that they constantly influence us, and when we travel, we can at the very least partially disconnect from them.  We begin to attract the positive. We feel noticed. We wear clothes we would not wear at home.  Basically, we become a better, truer version of ourselves. We also have a chance to realize the world  “news” we are constantly inundated with, although current to the minute, lacks integrity and accuracy and falls more into the realm of propaganda.

In 1957 when Arthur Frommer wrote his famous book, “How to Enjoy Europe on $5 a day,” travel to Europe and other exotic destinations was a luxury reserved for only the rich and famous. Mr Frommer’s book changed the rules, inspiring countless people from all walks of life to make the trek to places they had previously only dreamed of ever visiting, and for average stays of months on end.

Today’s economic climate has once again presented limitations as to accessibility, affordability, and the extent of one’s stay, especially in far distant points of interest. However, with new resources such as Airbnb and Love Home Swap, there are an always increasing number of options to help fulfill ones sense of wanderlust. And given the amazing area in which we reside one also has the opportunity to enjoy the beauty and topography that has made northern Michigan a premier vacation destination for nearly 150 years.

Staycations, or even short day trips right in one’s own backyard, can easily provide the mobility and change of scenery needed to feel the sense of freedom and adventure we seek in our lives. Implementing a “no-phone rule” while hiking, experiencing new restaurants, or wandering through new towns can help to provide the maximum amount of disconnect possible. Most importantly, it allows us to be reinvigorated to all the securities that sustain and nourish us upon returning.

Walking with a camera on my chest, (the surest telltale sign of being a “fudgie abroad”) over the last few weeks in the Netherlands has served as a reminder of how blessed I am to live in an area that welcomes such numerous, diverse, and appreciative visitors yearly, despite the comparatively minor inconveniences that comes with the influx of all those tourists each season — and how great it is to come home to an area as beautiful and rich in history and culture as any other in the world.

Christopher Struble is the president of The Michigan Hemingway Society, owner of a small local business, a historian, and avid outdoorsman residing in Petoskey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think it is not a secret for anyone that we consist not only of a physical shell, and we are influenced not only by the laws of the material world. You can be the most stubborn skeptic and not believe in spiritual life and energy laws but the existence of psychological patterns/regularities is proven and is not questioned. After all, energy is not a mystical source of power that does not obey natural laws, it is completely scientifically explainable and is associated with the material world.

The vital energy of a person is the power that is being used in daily affairs, is being spent on work ,  study etc. We receive and spend it constantly, and its level determines our overall tone, mood and physical condition.

One of the most resourceful things you can do to restore your energy is to travel, travel and more travel. It applies not only to major and far distance trips but also short distance ones as well: a few or even one day trip outside your city for a countryside picnic will help you to renew your energy balance. Regular trips to other countries can become a powerful resource moving you forward towards your goals.