Traveling In Your Imagination
As I was walking with my friend in Lincoln Park, we stopped to take pictures of this wishing well. It has always been my heart’s desire to travel. Because we are in the midst of the Corona Virus pandemic as I write, our travel may be limited. You may not have the money right now, or the time to travel, but you can do the research on the internet to look up pretty pictures of your dream destination. As for me, I’d like to travel the world, of course, but for starts, I’d like to travel first to Lithuania and then England. Lithuania is where my husband, Ben’s, descendants are from. My Great, Great Grandfather had a manor in England, which my Aunt and cousin were able to visit. Ben’s parents spoke Lithuanian in his home and I’ve heard so much about it I’d like to go there. We could visit his family. He has cousins, second cousins, probably third cousins there. Ah, it would be such a big reunion! I could go to Lithuania and be in quarantine for two weeks, but I’d prefer to wait until quarantine is not required. So, in the meantime, since I can’t travel right now, I will look up Lithuania on the internet and go to the library, check out books and read all about it. Here are a few suggestions as you prepare for your trip.
Get to Know Others Who Have Lived or Traveled There
I plan to join a Lithuanian group in my community. Seek out groups of your dream country and get to know people that have been there. Ask them about it. What did you like about it? What didn’t you? Where exactly would you recommend going? What’s the most beautiful part of it? What is the most fascinating?
Imagine Your Dream
You know how experts in meditation or counselors will suggest relaxing and picturing yourself in a place that is serene and quiet, whether it be on a beach, by a lake in the mountains, or by the Grand Canyon. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of my favorite places I have traveled. I’m thinking about a lake where I felt especially at peace. I was walking along a path next to the lake with a beautiful mountain in the background. That’s a perfect place for me to picture if I’m under stress and need a place in my mind to just unwind and relax.
I’m thinking this same technique can be used for imagining your travels. Although you cannot travel right now, you can imagine it in your mind. I’m not talking about an out of body experience, or anything like that. You know how you feel after an especially good movie and you are full of emotion. That’s a good time to get away by yourself and think about that place you’ve been dreaming of. Think about those pictures you have researched of places to go or people have talked about that sounded so interesting. Just sit back, without any distractions. Be sure to be in a quiet place and just imagine yourself there. That is traveling with your imagination. Give it a try. See how it feels. You can improve your technique with practice. It’s very invigorating. It helps you. You come out of it with a new perspective. You feel like you’ve been there. I will get into further techniques to imagine your travels.
Learning the History of Your Dream Country
Now that I’m older, I can really appreciate history more. Lithuania has a very interesting history and I want to read about it in-depth. I can’t believe it was only in 1991 that Lithuania was free from the Soviet Union’s grasp, That seems amazing to me because it wasn’t that long ago. So, they were under Communist power. It would be very interesting to read about what it was like living under that regime. They have been conquered many times by different countries, and endured much oppression and hardships. I will truly appreciate traveling there, knowing the history of some of the buildings, who was in power, what type of government and economy they had, how they lived, and all of the cultural aspects of that time. I think it would be an enriching experience. You could really learn from it. It would make your trip much richer. So, that’s my recommendation. You have a lot of reading to do. Good luck in your reading. Enjoy it. Take notes. Just embrace it.
Learning the Language
Of course you’d want to travel where you know the language. So, in the case of learning Lithuanian, I would, of course, have to research on-line courses and find books on translating. I have learned, to a small extent, Greek and Hebrew. I actually learned it on-line. So, if I can do that, you can certainly do that, too. I’m not saying you have to learn Greek and Hebrew, but whatever language you would like to learn. It is encouraging to know it isn’t as difficult as you might think, although it certainly wasn’t easy. It’s worth the time and effort if you plan to go to the country of your dreams. Take the time to learn the language. It would be so beneficial to find someone that actually speaks the language so you can practice. Learning Lithuanian is something I intend to do.
Perhaps you are fortunate enough to know someone in your dream country that speaks the language. When I get to the point of speaking the language, I could practice on the phone with Ben’s cousins. Wouldn’t that be exciting?! That can be a goal I set for myself. And you can set that goal for yourself, too. If I can do it, you can do it. We can do this together. Sounds like the phrase about Corona Virus, right? We are all in this together. Lol. I’m just saying, follow your dream.
Save Money for the Trip
The next thing to consider is the finances. Of course you have to have money. Saving money has always been difficult for me. That will probably be just as difficult as learning the language. But, if I really want to go, I’ll do it. If you really want to do something, write down the steps you are going to take, and set goals for yourself with deadlines. Look at your plan every three months to see how you are doing. I know I’m going to have to think of all kinds of imaginative ways to save money. If I really want to go, I will do this, AND YOU CAN TOO!
Dave Ramsey, a famous financial advisor, has free tools and resources listed on his website about saving money. He also offers a store to order his books and a membership which includes many benefits. Churches in your area may offer classes entitled Financial Peace University for a small fee. Scholarships may be available.
God’s Will vs. My Will
I’ve often wondered what God’s will is regarding our dreams for travel and possessions. These are worldly and material things, but yet God knows whether we need them. Will He grant my heart’s desire to travel?
I did some research on the Bible apps, Bible Gateway and Holy Bible. In Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Reading further to verse 33, we are not supposed to worry about food or clothing or possessions (or other worldly pursuits), because God knows we need these things. He knows our dreams of traveling. The important thing is to put God first, and then leave this desire in His hands. I like the 33rd verse, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” So, if it is God’s will for me to travel to Lithuanian, it will be. I don’t need be concerned about it.
God knows our every need and He likes to give us the desire of our hearts. He blesses us with times of prosperity and relaxation and we should be thankful for those times. God has lead me beside the quiet waters when I traveled to many beautiful destinations throughout the U.S. But we need to remember what is most important and that is to seek God, accept Jesus as your Savior and follow him. Perhaps he will lead you to your dream country.
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