Intrepid Traveler

The adventure found in traveling is one of the most exciting things I believe a person can experience. The mysteries of unknown lands, the bonds built with companions, seeing the wonders of creation across the globe, stretching beyond your own comfort zone and expanding your horizons are just a few of the components that make traveling such an incredible journey. Even when a trip ends, it can be argued that the sweet relief found in the security of coming home is what makes traveling truly adventurous.

As fond as I am of discovering and returning to memorable destinations, my vehicle is questionable when it comes to reliability. I drive a 2001 Dodge Intrepid, which I just pushed past 200,000 miles this past summer. The term intrepid means fearless, and I assure you that you have to be without fear to drive or ride in this car. Any destination that would be more than a two-hour drive causes me to question if I should find someone else to get me there, but I don’t regret purchasing this car for a second because of the lessons I have learned from driving it. It has prepared me for anything any future vehicle can throw at me.

Over the course of my ownership of this vehicle, I’ve had my fair share of problems that I’ve had to overcome. On one occasion, I’ve had a tire fall off while driving along at around 40 miles per hour. I’ve had a situation where the car would accelerate itself to 30 miles per hour, which caused me to drive only using the brake in some areas. The list of parts I’ve replaced or had to repair includes more items than I care to remember. Thankfully, my father knows much more about cars than I do and has always been willing to fix these issues. I have been able to drive with no problems for the past six months. The check engine light has even gone away for the same duration of time. I am praying that enough old, broken parts have been replaced that the car will last for the next year.

At this point, you might be wondering exactly what point I’m trying to make. Other than a brief history of my car, I am now going to make the claim that everything I’ve said pertains to you. Life is a journey, and how we travel through it is what makes all the difference in our experience. Every day brings new joys and challenges, which we can share with our friends and family. As we get older, situations are going to cause us to break out of familiarity in order to grow as an individual. Along the way we get to see families grow, happiness expand and the wonders of life become apparent. Whether you are traveling to see the world or traveling to understand your place in the world, the components are strikingly similar.

However, everything isn’t always going to be easy. Just as my Intrepid needed parts replaced, there will come a time in your life where you realize that parts of you need to be replaced too. Sometimes the need will be clear like a warning light, but sometimes a wheel might need to go flying to see the change that needs to occur. You will put in a lot of miles while here on earth, parts of your life will need replaced and made new. In these times, don't fall into discouragement. Be fearless as you remove yourself from damaging situations. Be fearless as you repair yourself from traumatic life events. Be fearless as you travel through life, but never hesitate to ask for a helping hand when needed. Lastly, never forget to find a place to call home, and return to it often. You’ll know it by the people there who truly love you.