As you read this, I have headed out on an adventure of a lifetime. I’m spending three months soaking up rays, feeling the sand between my toes, and best of all, absorbing as much culture as possible as I explore the seven countries of Central America. This trip isn’t for work and isn’t with any program—I have only my backpack in tow and my best friend by my side to take the world by storm! The first question I always get when I tell people about my adventure is: “How are you able to do that?!” Well, it’s simple: Because I want to. (And because I have an awesome boss who is letting me go explore the world for three months then letting me have my job back! THANKS, DAVE!!!)

Now, leaving the country for three months “because I want to” might sound very selfish. But I want to give you a short background story that I hope inspires you all to achieve what you want in life.

When I graduated from college I found it funny that there was no “path.” (And when I say “I find it funny…” I actually mean it was painstakingly hard and some days rather depressing, to be completely honest.) There was no syllabus for life, no next step or best grade or even finals week, and definitely no summer break. The transition from being a life-long student to a fully-functioning, self-sufficient adult is about as comfortable as getting tossed into the ocean as an infant. Or a shark tank. Filled with sharks that haven’t eaten in months. And have laser beams attached to their heads.

All satire aside, my point is that it’s not easy to figure the world out. Because there’s no guidebook, it makes sense that some people conform to the American standard; getting a 9-5 job, having a family, and living “happily ever after.” But, as the ever-stubborn and always-inquisitive person that I am, I didn’t want to merely go through the motions. I wanted to find the meaning behind each step of the process. And, because of the amazing job I have at No Barriers and because of some amazing experiences I’ve had with Global Explorers, I’ve been able and encouraged to think intentionally about what makes life wonderful. And I’ve made some pretty cool realizations, which I’d like to share with you here:

• Life is about the little moments.It’s the unexpected gestures, laughter, and hugs that make life truly sparkle.
• Life is about discovery.That AH-HA moment when you discover, learn, and expand your mind is what keeps us engaged, curious, and playful.
• Life is tough.But it’s through the challenges that we learn. We learn who we are, what we value, and how to navigate through adversity. And, most important, we learn that we CAN navigate through adversity.
• Life ISN’T tough.Yes, life will throw curve balls at us. But, at its core, life has a very subtle simplicity that is very fulfilling if we can embrace it.
• Life is all about perspective.As Albert Einstein said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
• Life is a journey.For me, the journey is self-discovery. Every person I meet, every place I travel, and every experience I have teaches me more about myself and allows me to grow and become more “me.” But that doesn’t mean I have everything (or anything) figured out. In fact, I’ve come to realize that everyone is going along their journey just as confused and unsure as everyone else. No one has it “all figured out.” And that, as beautifully terrifying as it is, is the deepest connection we have to one another.
• Life is about doing what YOU want to do, because you want to do it.You don’t need any quantifier or qualifier or explanation or excuse to follow your dreams. If you’re inspired by something, fuel your inspiration. If you love something, hold it close to your heart. If you stand for something, fight for it.

So, the decision is yours: what do YOU want to do?