“Move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean or simply across the river. Walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food. Open your mind, get up off the couch, move.” -Anthony Bourdain
I believe movement gives us life.
The kind of life that empowers us, makes the world brighter and fills us with an unknown sense of power, energy and eagerness to live.
To truly, passionately, full-heartedly live.
We may feel alive for just a flash in these fleeting, often overlooked instances of movement. I’m thinking of the times I’ve fearlessly danced around my bedroom or spent hours shamelessly swinging at the park. Perhaps it’s just a millisecond that’s filled with some sort of spirit (excitement, joy, boldness), but I feel alive… even in the smallest, most insignificant instances of movement.
However, recently I embarked on one very defined act of movement. I hopped on a plane, and here I am – in LONDON for six months as part of a study abroad program.
This city is so alive. I love the hustle and bustle, the people rushing every possible direction (some smiling, some grooving to beat of their music, some holding hands, some inhaling delicious street food and some strutting in their adult footie pajamas). At one corner, a man looks like he’s floating in midair as people admire in awe. At the next, a man blows fire out of his tuba.
Millions of people are constantly moving about their own lives – each living for different reasons, expressing themselves in their own ways. What inspires me the most is that each of these people has his or her own story to tell. How I wish I could spend all my days listening to people’s most cherished stories.
So what’s my story? Where do I fit in with the masses?
Well, I suppose I’m an individual living for the rush of energy, the fresh start and the awakening that New Year’s Eve brought as I watched fireworks light up the above the London Eye.