Why is that? You would think as we the individual has less distance to travel that we would know that we are not far off and not hurry to and fro. We do hurry though. We isolate ourselves from all others except to the extent to put ourself in an advantage to be in the best lane, or be ahead during a elimination of lanes.

I must assume that we schedule ourselves and put ourselves in a mind-set where traveling is a burden and must pass as quickly as possible. Sometimes, only when we travel large distances do we accept the fact that a journey is unavoidable and take the pace at a more leisurely rate.

It seems even fewer and further between that we ever truly enjoy the trip itself. Do we notice the land on which we are traveling on or above? Do we truly notice those that are traveling in a parallel path? Do we ever ignore our time-table or are we always on a restricted schedule.It is very rare that we as a people travel not for the destination but for the mere journey itself. I think this is very sad indeed.

Think of the pleasure you have had arriving at a destination after a long car-ride or flight. You may be sore from sitting to long. You may be hungry, thirsty or sleep deprived. There is joy in knowing that you have reached your destination.

Now let’s think of this not in distance but time itself. Think of the joy you have had when Christmas morning has arrived. It was a long wait which has left you mentally sore. Hungry and thirsty for other concerns of the mind as you have been overly focused on this one event. And I know for myself mentally and physically sleep deprived.

Both these examples lead to a emotional and physical letdown. For the distance traveler time is required to get over the drive or flight and it takes time to become active again. For the time-traveler there is a letdown that the event has occurred, and we were so focused on the one event, we did not nourish our minds with a well-balanced diet of concerns, hopes and expectations.

Knowing that we have similar concerns with time and distance travel, let’s consider this moment in time and space. You have an opportunity to notice your surroundings. You may see that others are on a similar path. You have made choices that have placed you in a situation where you have a restrictive schedule or personal freedom. This moment and this place are for you. No one else shares it exactly the same as you do. You have your personal insight and a point-of-view unique to any other. I hope this makes us all realize how precious our position is. We have a power no one else has. To chose this moment. To alter our path to the next. To enjoy or stress or ignore and become desensitized.

Let us now return and place ourselves back into the position of the distance traveler and consider the joy we have when our goal is reached an the journey is over. Think of that pleasure. Why must that enjoyment be reserved for the end of the journey. Why can it not be part of every mile of our path? Why can we not plan and take pleasure in every part of our path? What must we do personally to allow ourselves to wake up from the stupor and desensitization we find ourselves in from mile to mile, moment to moment. How do we take a journey and turn it into a experience?

Just as each of us have a unique perspective, the answers are unique for each of us. I believe a good exercise would be to take a journey for the pure pleasure of taking the journey. You do not even need a definitive destination. Let us also do so within our time. Allow ourselves open blocks of constructive time without a goal or destination that will have us clamoring for the end, but allow us to enjoy the here and now. Be creative and useful, but allow the activity to have an open end to avoid any deadlines or pressures. Remember this is your time. Here and now in your unique perspective.

Remember that time and space are simply your perception of external matter and energy. As we each perceive these external forces we have the choice on how to act and react. It is within each of us to awake from our stupor and empower ourselves within the moment. Act, don’t react. And the next mile on your path will also bring you an edifying experience.