Travel Quotes: Confucius
This may be one of the oldest travel quotes I’ve ever highlighted in this feature!
This phrase has been used time and time again in movies, music lyrics, and more. I think that’s because it speaks so strongly to an instinct within all of us. An instinct to solve our problems and change our circumstances by changing our locations. I’ve been guilty of this many, many times in the past. Relationship not working? Time to book a vacation! Feeling unfulfilled? I’ll move to a different country!
For the most part I think Confucius had the right idea. You’re relationship will still by dysfunctional if you’re in New York or Hawaii, and if your nature is to feel restless you’re going to feel that whether you’re in London or in Bangkok. But on the other hand, I think sometimes a change of scenery — in the form of a short trip or a big move — can be just the boost someone needs to make real change in themselves. I don’t think travel can change you, but I think it can inspire you to change yourself.
What do you think? What does this quote mean to you?
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Alex, what will you win in the Avis contest?
Worldwide fame! Just kidding. Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be any prize other than the satisfaction of winning.
I agree that you cannot run from your problems, but I definitely think that sometimes you do need a change in scenery. I was stuck in a pretty bad rut before I decided to spend the summer backpacking through SE Asia. I genuinely felt happier while doing it, and I don’t think it was just because I was on vacation from all of the stress and problems in my world back home. I think it caused me to refocus and figure out what was really important to me, what I wanted to do with my life, and how material things are nice but really not that important in the grand scheme of things. I found it also allows you to get away from people who may be very toxic to you, yet you don’t realize it. My mother is an incredibly toxic person who lives to start conflict with me. Had I not had the summer to escape and see how happy my life could be without than influence, I would have continued to play her games. So, I’m for escaping at points when you need to figure out things in your life, but I also agree that you’re never going to outrun your problems.
You make a lot of good points Morgan! Travel has had a lot of similar affects on me — helping me discover my priorities, fight my materialism, etc. However I definitely think sometimes we can be blindsided by the fact that traveling can be a temporary band-aid on life’s stresses!
With a small rewrite, this even applies to me: No matter where you go, there you are: confused.
Ha, I laughed out loud at this!
Thank you for not writing ‘lol’
Great quote! I just pinned the photo on Pinterest. To me, the quote means to live in the moment and notice what’s around you. You’re right, a lot of people feel restless and don’t enjoy being in the present moment, but when you realize to live fully and presently, you don’t feel the urge to take off as much. When I have traveled, I have really enjoyed it because I was really in the moment and didn’t think about being anywhere else.
Thanks Alexa, I always think of these as very pin-able posts 🙂 Glad you agree, and great analysis!
Whatever your problem is, it goes with you. But going is so much fun.
You’ve got my vote.
So true 🙂 A little change of scenery is often the kick start people need to fix those problems, maybe!
I think it means we are the same no matter where we are
I agree! Thanks for commenting!
To me it means that the journey is more important than the destination. Which reminds me of one of my favourite travel quotes:
“Journeys, like artists, are born and not made. A thousand differing circumstances contribute to them, few of them willed or determined by the will–whatever we may think.”
That’s a beautiful quote — thanks for sharing Henry!