The Journey Through Life’s Changes [Flashback]
By theprofessionalhobo ~ November 12th, 2009. Filed under: Flashbacks.
I was sifting through some previous blog posts (and somewhere in there realizing that I’ve written a TON of stuff for this site!), and came across the following one entitled The Journey Through Life’s Changes. It was written about a year and a half ago, towards the end of our six months in Hawaii.
Although we are a year and a half and five countries older and wiser since this piece was first published, the concept and message still speaks to me. I hope it does to you as well.
Part of the fun of living at a hostel is in meeting all sorts of people with a variety of backgrounds and stories to tell. And it’s amazing to discover how many people are out there who are going through (or have gone through) similar changes in life as Kelly & I did.
-names have been changed to protect identities-
Joe is about 40 years old and from England. He led an entire life doing exactly what you’re supposed to do. He went to school, had a great job, owned a nice house, and invested wisely. Trouble is, he hated his job, had no love for his house, and was so uninspired by his life that he couldn’t even bring himself to spend his hard-earned money on anything that might make him happier. He fell into a life of getting up, going to work, coming home, and watching the tube until he could go to bed and repeat the same routine the following day.
After some deliberation, he saw no reason to continue on this road, as it was only further pushing 
him into a state of apathy and downright depression. So the house was sold, the job quit, and an eight-month vacation embarked upon.
I met Joe at the 6 month mark of his vacation. He had been pretty much around the world, and was on his way back to the Philippines, where he found he was truly happy. I asked him if he has to return to England after his eight-months are up. Not only was the answer “no”, but he was actually thinking about buying a small place in the Philippines to run as a hostel. He loved the true hospitality and friendliness of the locals, knew other ex-pats who were operating hostels, and had a sparkle in his eye when he spoke of it.
I saw him off on his way back there, and I hope to visit his establishment soon.
Kudos, Joe.
—> Read the rest of The Journey Through Life’s Changes here <—
November 13th, 2009 at 1:01 am
I’m glad Joe broke out of the “prison” he constructed for himself. Another way to think about it is “Live Like You Were Dying” a great song.
November 13th, 2009 at 7:42 am
Joe – Mmm…Live Like You Were Dying….could be words to “live” by! Did you click through and read the rest of the article? I think you may find it inspirational.
November 13th, 2009 at 8:08 am
I wonder how it has worked out for Joe?
Thanks for posting an older one I hadn’t seen (I clicked through).
November 13th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
@James – I wish I knew how things worked out for Joe. Unfortunately (as does tend to happen on the travel circuit), we lost touch. I hope to stumble into his guesthouse in the Phillipines one day!
November 13th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Thank you for reposting this. It reaffirmed my believe that traveling is in many ways about the journey within.
November 14th, 2009 at 4:17 am
Reading about Joe is like a mirror in my current situation.
I hope to be freed soon in my current prinson walls.
November 14th, 2009 at 8:25 am
@Prime – I believe the journey within can take place anywhere, but travel does indeed seem to bring it out of us more readily. Thanks for the comment!
@Frugal Expat – Bring it on! Make those changes that will make your heart sing…only you can! (Cheesy, but true)!