Here is how I justify it to myself irrespective of the above. I am here in Australia, pretty much as far as I can get from Canada as you can get. Being here gives me a great opportunity to see the world around here, which will take much more money and time to explore than if I left from Canada. How else can I go to Fiji, Great Barrier Reef, New Zealand, and the many places around Australia? Whereas here I am in Australia and so close to these places, why wouldn't I take full advantage of my time here and see all these amazing places?
But then if I think about it, if I wasn't spending so much time travelling I could use the travel time to build community with those around me. I could spend the extra time developing relationships with those I meet. And I can save the money for other things, more "responsible". And it doesn't make it seem like I only care about what I want and not what might be best for the people overall. I could be just thinking too much into this small thing, but it does bother me.
What I do on weekends. Shopping @ Markets
Some real pretty trees here in Brisbane.
My New Apartment.
It's very white it seems.
5 comments:
jon, dont' think too much! seriously, i think too many times we're justifying what we do, which ruins the beauty of it. just LOVE what u're doing. not in a selfish way but LOVE what God has given you!!! u're given an opportunity to see the world, whether it's developing community in australia or travelling to celebrate in God's creation, ENJOY IT! who cares! honestly, i think it's stupid to just do something humanitarian cause u feel u have to.. or worse yet, cause u feel guilty.. know what i mean? it adds to the saviour complex! on the other hand, if u feel a strong pull to build community or help save the world :P then do so. but don't do it out of guilt! do it because of PASSION!
Jon, would it not be fair to say that by spending time and money you otherwise would not have spent on travel, you are ultimately bettering yourself to help people in the long run?
My rationale would be:
traveling = realizing that life happens outside the microcosm in which one lives = opening one's eyes to the world = increased sensitivity and compassion to people whose cultures and circumstances are different from what one is used to
On an unrelated not: That tree is nuts! My comment would be funnier if it was a nut tree! Is it? LOL!
i'm posting because the above commenter requests! i think this is her self actualization that her comments are significant!!!!!!!
:) i kid i kid.
well to respond to justina's comment i had to first decipher all the negatives and come out with what she's saying: "travelling is actually bettering other ppl!" man... it's 11:26am in the morning j... i dont' start functioning until noon! :)
in terms of that, i would agree HOWEVER it depends HOW ppl travel. i think (having travelled with you both) that the above comments applies to both of u. however, u can't rule out the fact that there are ppl out there travelling in ways that jon fears. just spending money and pampering themselves... like doing the whole tourist spots, exploiting the locals, etc. but THAT of course generalizes to the whole population, WHICH is not what this post is about, this post is about JON! :) so for jon, travelling will NOT be selfish or self serving! :) so go for it JON. and remember to decrease ur self-serving mentality, just take more pics so j and i can benefit!!! :)
Remember the Holy Spirit? Is He talking to you? Talk to HIM.
I'll double-up on what dravenkenann says. More practically (within the wisdom of the HS), I think you're there for a short period of time (I think), and there for a reason - so prioritize the things that you can only do over there. I think enjoying God's creation of the Great Barrier Reef, New Zealand (I'm VERY jealous), etc. is just as spiritual as building community.
Can't wait to see where you'll end up.
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