Beginning the Journey

The tickets are bought, the suitcase is packed (well, almost), the camera has been ordered (expect GREAT pictures to come!), and everything is coming together. It still doesn't seem quite real that I'm leaving so soon. I'm going on an adventure! I've been preparing by reading classic Irish, English, and Scottish literature and by keeping fit.
As I scramble to prepare, I've found time to ponder on the journey of life. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Life is a journey, not a destination." It's true, and we often forget how important it is to enjoy the journey. Every minute of life is precious, and if we wait too anxiously for our "ship to come in", we'll find ourselves anxious even after the anticipation is over. Don't waste your life waiting for that one thing you want to happen; find happiness now in what you do have!
I say this as a reminder to myself, because I often find myself ping-ponging between discontent and apathy. This is not a problem with my situation, but with my attitude. I'm so very grateful for this trip I'm going to take, because it's helping me focus on enjoying the journey. Scotland, to me (as ridiculous as this may sound), is not just a place, but an idea-- the idea of me returning to my mother country, of discovering the secrets and wonders of the wilderness there, of coming closer to God, of meeting new people and learning new ways. It's a lovely idea! And even if this trip does not take me as much in Scotland itself as I'd like, that's not really what I am going for, anyway. I'm going for the journey.
As I begin this journey to my homeland, I can't help drawing parallels to the all-encompassing journey we are all making-- to go through this life into the next, into the true homeland we all will find. Our destination is to be surrounded by those we love and have "lost awhile", who are waiting for us on the other side. But to truly enjoy the destination, we must give our all and enjoy the journey. The destination is waiting there for you, so make the most of yourself on the way! It makes me think of the old pioneer song-- "Though hard to you this journey may appear/'tis not so, all is right!/How can we think to earn a great reward/if we now shun the fight?/Gird up your loins, fresh courage take/our God will never us forsake!/And soon we'll have this tale to tell/All is well, All is well!"
And if we have the faith that they had, all will be well, for nothing can harm or disappoint us.
And why not help someone else along their journey, too? I've found that contributing to others journeys make mine more sweet. Life is also about who you make the journey with.
Those are just my travel-musings, serving as my reminder to not be so excited for my trip as to forget the exciting things going on every day. And my resolution for tomorrow is this: Live it Up and Enjoy the Journey!
Hahaha and now I'll go listen to a song by Journey....