Road Scholar: Approaching the World with Curiosity

Travel is a powerful teacher. Seeing the world from different perspectives is endlessly instructive and wisdom can be found in unlikely places. Whether from the retired fire chief from Kentucky or the young French Canadian with an adorable Pyrenees puppy, talking to people pursuing their wanderlust always brings fresh eyes to my world.

I have spent the last two weeks on a last minute quest. Originally intending to travel to France with my daughter to celebrate her graduation, we rescheduled so she could participate in the next level of a competition called Environthon. She will be starting her degree in Environmental Science in the fall and was thoroughly enjoying her role on the team. With our trip delayed, I had a window of freedom to play with.  

The beauty of having an agile attitude is that change is not viewed as full of anxiety, disappointment, or uncertainty. Instead, change is perceived as an opportunity.  

I jumped at an opportunity to hit the road and use my passport in Canada rather than France.  I had been practicing French, which was ironically convenient.

Finding new ways to implement my own healthy brain lifestyle is one of the most rewarding parts of Agile Intellect. This month, I focused on the “Interact” component of FITBRAIN, which concentrates on connecting with the world outside yourself. This includes improving awareness and connection with other people and the natural world. This is part of building emotional intelligence, or EQ.

Transition can be terrifying, particularly if you are in a rut. I see it paralyze so many. Whether terrified of an uncertain future, leaving a job, a stage in life, or even of success, change often triggers survival mode. Being in a routine limits the unexpected and provides the illusion of certainty. The mind becomes woefully wimpy at adapting to change. The rut is far easier in the short term, lulling us into complacency.

The problem is that the world is not friendly to life in the rut.  This is nothing new.

In the 1980’s military strategists warned world leaders to anticipate volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA).  That prediction was quite accurate.  Yet, we still desperately seek normal.  Even “new normals” don’t last, however.  

So how do we become more adaptable and prevent the hazards of being stuck in a rut?

Practice agile attitudes. 
How do we practice agility?  There are many ways to practice agility, but travel is by far one of my favorite ways to practice, practice adaptability, learn new perspectives, and boost my “interaction skills”.  

Every time I hear friends and colleagues say “I don’t know how you do it.  You travel at the drop of a hat!” I am reminded of the gift I have embraced to use travel as an opportunity to grow, become more resilient in novel environments, and learn new perspectives. When understanding that travel offers the benefit of learning from a global university, it enhances its value tremendously.

Recognizing that travel fosters characteristics that are optimal for thriving in the 21st century, allows me to embrace it unapologetically without guilt. The top skills fostered by travel include courage, creativity, adaptability, agile attitudes, and a growth mindset.

There are numerous ways to boost interaction while traveling, but here are a few of my favorites:

1. Visits to local museums

2. Delving into the historical monuments and landmarks

3. Immersion in the landscapes, both urban and in the wild

4. Conversations with locals in wayside gathering spots

5. Interaction with tourists who bring curiosity from all over the world.

Living optimally requires curiosity, courage, and trust in your own capability to face challenges.  Along the way, you will find joy in learning for life. The next time you plan a trip, remember the gifts of getting outside of one's bubble, challenging your own point of view, and using curiosity to look at things in ways one is unaccustomed to. Finding ways to expose oneself to differing opinions and perspectives is a source of expansion. 

Agile attitudes can be built, thanks to the adaptability of our minds…IF given the opportunity.  

I highly recommend you challenge yourself to stretch and build your own. Whether by traveling the world or exploring new perspectives in your own zip code, approach your world with curiosity. It will benefit your mind in ways that might astound you.