By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer | garrett@thewoodrufftimes.com
More than once recently, I have found myself sitting alone, in my chair on the beach, looking out to the horizon. I had a front row seat to the roiling cauldron of wind and waves as Tropical Storm Chantal churned its way to landfall on July 5, just five miles from where I sat on the shore in Murrells Inlet.
Appropriate, I suppose, that I was staring down the eye of a storm. In the words of Jimmy Buffett, I have been trying to reason with hurricane season most of my life, it seems.
But amid each tempest, I catch myself dreaming about what lies beyond. What lies beyond what I can see in front of me? How can I get there, and will casting every worry to the wind give a semblance of calm in the middle of life’s craziness?
I have been fortunate to cross two oceans. To see wonderful things. And sitting on the sand watching another storm blow in, I found some perspective in the middle of the turmoil.
Truth is, I love sitting and reflecting on things I want to do with the life I have been graciously given. It is no secret that I have a deep passion and love for travel. If I could do it for a living, I would. I began circling back to why I love it so much, and here is what I came up with.
I want to feel insignificant. And I mean that in a good way. I am but a tiny speck among the over eight billion people that inhabit this little blue ball spinning through the cosmos. I want my existence to fall somewhere in the middle of those who co-inhabit our beautiful planet, and I want to know and understand them.
When you realize just what a tiny portion of our world we see every day, you begin to understand just how similar, and wonderfully different, we all are. We are all insignificant in the grand design, but awesomely so.
I want to make dreams a reality. I can stand on the beach here in South Carolina and look to the place where the ocean meets the sky. I can dream about what is on the other side. It is inherent in our nature as humans to want what we cannot see. To have what we cannot fathom is there. I want to see what is on the other side of the horizon. When I get there, I want to look behind me and marvel that I am now where I dreamt of being while I was standing in a place that I can no longer see.
What a perspective that is!
We all perpetuate stereotypes about those who are different from ourselves, but when you travel to far-flung places, you realize what a disservice that is to yourself and to your fellow man. We all bleed red. We all love, and dream, and we are all tied down by our own fears, insecurities, and trepidations. When you truly get to know those who are not of your ilk, you also come to see how similar we really are despite our superficial differences.
There is a quote from Mark Twain in the postscript of his book ‘The Innocents Abroad’ that says, ‘travel is fatal to prejudice and bigotry.’ I challenge everyone to put that to the test. I have been to some amazing places and met people who did not look like me, think like me, or believe what I believe. Yet, they were the kindest, most welcoming souls I have had the privilege of encountering because I took the time to know them, and they to know me.
Do not sell your own humanity short and limit yourself to those of the same cloth. That tatters the human experience. Be different, and seek differences.
As a person of faith, I believe God created this world for all of us. Does the Bible not say we are all made in his image? If so, how much different can we really be except that which you see on the surface? If you, too, are a person of faith, then who are we to deny the wondrous creation he gifted us by confining ourselves to one finite corner of it for the duration of our lives?
Sure, we do not all share the same religion or ideology. That is quite ok. You can remain true to your convictions while understanding the beliefs of others. Believe it or not, that is not a one-way ticket to the pit of you know where. Use traveling as a conduit to show appreciation to whatever higher power you believe in.
Give thanks that we have an amazing world to explore, and let us make sure we leave it as beautiful as we found it.
Our time here is not infinite. We will all one day cross a divide far greater than what is perceptible here on Earth. In the vastness of time and space, we are but a millisecond against the ever-ticking celestial clock. Compared to eternity, this is but the half blink of an eye. Enjoy it while you can.
I watched the sun set behind me on Pawley’s Island as it slipped away beneath the cattail reeds that lined the banks of the tidal river. Simultaneous-ly, the moon rose, slow and regal, over the now-gentle lapping waves of a now-calm sea. The storm was gone. As night descended on us here, the sun was rising to greet those on the far side of the world. I wonder how many of them met its arrival with the same hope and curiosity I have for what lies beyond when they gazed out at the horizon.
Do not look back 50 years from now and cry for the things you wished you had done. Shed tears of joy over the memories of what you did, the places you saw, the people you met, and the friendships you made. Rejoice that you took those chances which were afforded you and find peace in knowing you lived your life to its full potential.
When you do that, you will find significance in your insignificance.
Author: gmitchell85
