Traveling: Expand Your Horizons

 " The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page."

~ Saint Augustine

Traveling for those who are seriously passionate about it, it’s not a luxury, but a necessity. The desire to travel is universal. Travel is one of the most important ways to learn and grow. It teaches you to be open-minded, flexible, adventurous, and adaptable. There is hardly an experience as enriching as travelling.

It becomes a way to think and a way to live and breathe.

Travel happens as a way of inspired action, it’s a need for change from within, a subtle but undeniable voice that screams for new horizons. 

We enjoy the slow and peaceful breakfasts, the long walks, the new experiences, places, people and memories. They make us feel happy we are alive. No wonder! Travelling seems to combine most of the habits of healthy people.

Most of us live in the city. Our daily routine involves navigating through urban landscapes on crowded public transport in chase of our busy schedules. Gradually stress accumulates. Problems loom large, burnout makes us feel dissatisfied without job, we never seem to find time for adventure.

Travel is your cure!

Travelling can disconnect you from your daily routine. Once you break the repetitive pattern, pack your bags and hit the road, your mind can reset. Seeing new places, meeting new people, overcoming various challenges may even help you appreciate what you have left behind. It can help you take a step back and think about things and people you miss. You can get a better perspective on your life and remember all the good things.

Travelling lets you live life for its own sake!

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or stuck in a rut, it might be time to pack your bags and hit the road. Travel has been known to positively impact mental health, allowing individuals to break out of their comfort zones and experience new perspectives.

Places to Visit in India - The best places to visit in India to experience the most beautiful places like historical places, beach places, hill stations, honeymoon places, romantic places, adventure places, peaceful places and many more.

India is a truly diverse country, be it culturally or geographically. No two cities or states are the same! And that means, there are plenty of amazing holiday destinations for different types of travellers, across the country.

Wherever you go, you’re guaranteed a mind-expanding and exhilarating blast of colour, soul-soaring splendour, earth-shaking history and moments of pure serenity. Equal parts magic and mayhem, this mix is what makes traveling to India such an intense and addictive experience.

How to Choose a Travel Destination?

Tips for Choosing Where to Travel

1.   Think About Your Likes and Dislikes. ...

2. Consider what kind of traveller you are.

3.   Be Mindful of the Distance. ...

4.   Take Age into Account. ...

5.   Consider Your Interests. ...

6.   Keep Career and College Aspirations in Mind. ...

7.   See How Much Time You Have to Travel. ...

8.   Review Your Budget.

9.   Be Decisive

First of all, let’s start with some questions:

·         City, beach or countryside?

·         Hot or cold weather?

·         Adventure or relaxation?

·         Shopping, culture or adrenaline?

·         Family, friends or boyfriend/girlfriend? Or maybe solo?

·         Independent travel or have everything organised for you?

·         Budget or splash the cash? Or somewhere in the middle?

·         Off the beaten track or a tried and tested destination?

With your travel goals, interests, budget, and time constraints in mind, it’s time to start researching different destinations. Utilize travel websites, blogs, and social media platforms to gather inspiration and ideas. These platforms are treasure troves of information, featuring travel guides, itineraries, and firsthand accounts from fellow travellers.

Explore different regions and countries that align with your interests. Consider the activities, attractions, and experiences each destination offers. Look for destinations that offer a good balance between your desired activities and the overall atmosphere you seek.

Benefits of travel - 14 things travel teaches you:

Travelling opens your eyes to things you never considered before. One of the main benefits of travel is collecting new experiences. They can be physical, emotional, or psychological. 

Physical benefits of travel include - getting exercise, being exposed to new environments, and improving your sleep. Travel can also help reduce stress levels, improve mental clarity, and boost your immune system.

Mental benefits of travel include - reducing stress, improving mental clarity, boosting your mood, and increasing creativity. Travel can also help you learn more about yourself and other cultures and build new relationships.

1.  Broadens horizons

2.  Helps to step out of the comfort zone

3.  Teaches you to appreciate diversity

4.  Develops tolerance

5.  Improves endurance

6.  Increases flexibility

7.  Trains assertiveness

8.  Proves the importance of research

9.  Brings communication skills to the next level

10. Let’s you make international connections

11. Makes you comfortable in your own company

12. Allows you to get to know yourself better

13. Gives an opportunity to adopt new habits and/or traditions

Invaluable life lessons we learn through travel

Travel is one of life’s greatest teachers. It pulls you out of your comfort zone and plunges you into the unknown. It reveals a world of cultures to explore and people to meet. And it helps you develop virtues like patience and humility. One of the greatest lessons you’ll learn through travel is that we need very little to be happy. And it’s not cars, phones or clothes that make us happy – it’s our experiences.

Travel inspires a sense of wonder and discovery, and there’s an entire world of things to do and people to meet. You could explore a forest or walk down a new street. Try a different cuisine or learn about another culture. When you travel, you never stop learning. There is no better education than the one travel can provide!

When you choose to indulge in your wanderlust and see the world, you will rarely ever return as the same person. More likely, you’ll come home as a more confident, independent, self-aware human. A better human. So, what is it about travel that’s so life-changing?

“When you stop learning, you start dying” ~ Albert Einstein

Enjoying life is more than just living

Change can be beneficial

It is ok to take a break

The Major life lessons that I learnt during all these trips are:

·         You should always have a crazy bunch of friends who are excited to plan the entire trip, from booking the tickets to homestays and finally the itinerary. I am literally grateful to all the three of you!

 

·         You get to learn about the local languages/food and then we should try and embrace the culture differences.

 

·         Sometimes, it might also happen that only your parents haven’t agreed to the destination place, but its only and only the support that your friends give make them agree your decision.

 

·         Sometimes the same food, which you have been eating is prepared with utmost love and care, that you would crave for that same food always.

 

·         We have always got to work and go under some budget. We also tend to calculate a lot in our younger days. But as and when adulting starts hitting on us, we don’t really look into the menus for prices, we just order because it’s the result of your own hard work which you would love to spend with this bunch of friends.

 

·         It will always increase your knowledge for that particular place you are visiting.

 

·         It is absolutely okay to leave your work behind for a week so that you can witness all those sunrises and sunsets together, to all such days and nights where you can laugh, cry and smile on that same shoulders who would always comfort you the most.

Personality development - Permit yourself to change

“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” - Ernest Hemingway

The Importance of Personality Development

The word personality is derived from the Latin word ‘persona’, which means a mask. 

Personality development refers to the process of developing, enhancing, and changing one's personality over time. Such development occurs naturally over the course of life, but it can also be modified through intentional efforts.

Everything that makes you — likes, dislikes, temperament — is something to celebrate. Your unique personality shows the world your value and is what makes you worth knowing. 

Your personality is the unique combination of traits and behavior that form in response to various influences. These influences include nature, your genetic predisposition, and nurture, your experiences and environment.

"People can undergo changes in their attitudes, behaviors, and thought patterns in response to new experiences or personal growth,”.

If we focus on certain variables in our daily lives, we have control to significantly enhance our mood, optimism, meaning, and happiness.

Simple Activities for personality development

So what are some tools that we can utilize to rejoice, recreate, and rejuvenate. Here are some simple strategies:

·         Engage and relate to other people.

·         Find fulfillment in creativity and productivity.

·         Look beyond oneself and help others find lasting meaning, satisfaction, and wisdom.

·         Practice daily mindfulness and gratitude.

·         Exercise – even if it is 20 minutes three to five times a week.

·         Bring to your awareness and practice healthier, cleaner nutrition.

·         Immerse yourself in nature.

·         Unplug from electronics.

·         Create fun and joyful moments with your children and family.

·         Ask yourself, "What do I enjoy?" and engage in it.

·         If you have a passion, immerse yourself in it.

·         Give to others.

·         Generate internal positivity by seeking and affirming the good in your life.

The prerequisite of self-development:

Important reminders

·         Self-discovery is a process and looks different for everyone.

·         It requires time, effort, kindness, and consistency.

·         If something didn’t work for someone, it doesn’t mean it would not work for you and vice versa.

·         Surround yourself with people who help you grow.

·         Progress on this path is subjective, which means only you can decide what progress means.

How to get started?

Step out of your comfort zone

Some people are comfortable in their routine, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But trying new things has many benefits, including increased focus, improved memory, and greater creativity, which can all contribute to your overall personality. 

If you want to become a little more adventurous, shake things up by:

• Giving an interactive presentation
• Volunteering for a difficult project at work
• Writing an article for the office newsletter
• Talking to someone new
• Taking a class in something outside of your skill set

The Developing Personality

As you can see, how one's personality develops is not as simple as just saying that it is one thing; however, there is one thing that most researchers seem to agree on: one's childhood lays the foundation for the personality that one will have as an adult. The genes we are born with, coupled with the environment we are brought up in and the situations we live through, all work together. They end up creating the personality you see as an adult.

Work on your Body Language

Body language is just as important for your personality as your verbal communication skills. It tells a lot about yourself and helps people in making accurate conjectures about you. Everything including the way you walk, sit, talk or eat leaves an impact over the people around you and having a correct body language can do wonders for your personality. Walk in an upright position with shoulders straight. Do not droop. Sit in a relaxed posture and make always eye contact while speaking.

Be confident

Yes, that’s the key. Being confident about who you are and what you are doing is the most important tip for personality development. Never doubt your capabilities and if there is something you need to work upon then put in all the effort so you can come over your fears and gain confidence. Read success stories or surround yourself with motivational thoughts or “encouragements” which can boost up your self-esteem and help you in attaining a charming personality. Just everything you do, have faith in yourself and put in your hard work. There can be nothing more appealing in your personality than an incredible confidence.

Organising Your Time

If you are considering making changes in your life, finding additional time often poses a problem.

It could be that the changes you are thinking of making are to ensure you have extra time to:

Spend with your family.

Spend on things you enjoy doing.

Devote to your work.

Devote to your education.

Whatever the reason, looking at how you spend your time will encourage you to think of ways your time could be managed more effectively.

The first step is often the hardest…

Barriers to personal development are often more in the mind than anywhere else.

The first step — whether it is signing up for a course, getting some books from the library, or finding a website that can help — is often the hardest. As you take that first step, remember that the process is described as ‘lifelong’ for a reason: you are always learning, it is only the level of formality that changes.

Be kind to everyone.
We are always taught to be kind to others since our childhood. Still, some of us fail to do so. Studies show that kindness to self and others brings happiness, prosperity, wisdom, and other positive traits.
It is further categorized into four steps, which are listed below:

Remember that we deserve kindness and affection from ourselves.

Remember that we have no right to be unkind to others.

We should be aware of the emotions and feelings of others.

Remember that mistakes are a part of life. Learn to start again after learning from our mistakes.

If you want to be liked by others…

Stop judging others.

Stop pointing fingers at others and showing them mistakes again and again, then also people won’t like you so much.

Stop wanting attention and recognition from others.

Be resilient

The road to success is paved with errors and unexpected setbacks. There are few things you'll get right the first time. It doesn't matter if you fall. The only problem is not getting up.

Be persistent

Don't give in to laziness or disappointment. Keep moving toward your goal as consistently as possible. If you set your mind on achieving your objectives every day, this attitude will become part of your personality.

Avoid negative thoughts

It is essential you keep a positive attitude. Monitor your thoughts and, when you start running an old, toxic film, cut those negative thoughts at the root.

Learn visualisation techniques

Visualise yourself taking the steps necessary to achieve your goal and achieving that success will help you to break toxic thought patterns, keep you motivated and to be more natural along the way.

Meditate

Spending a few minutes a day controlling your breathing and focusing your mind will be very helpful when you have to cope with stressful situations outside your comfort zone.

Only compete against yourself

Toxic competition with other people will only wear you out. Focus on your goal and how you are going to achieve it.

Set small challenges

Just as missing a penalty leaves a negative imprint, overcoming small challenges leaves positive imprints that will help you to move forward with more determination.

Celebrate victories

It is good to reward yourself for small triumphs; these treats will motivate you to keep moving forward.

Be sensitive, yet sensible

The best combination is being sensible and sensitive at the same time. Having a sharp intellect and a soft heart is the most desirable combination. People who are good-hearted often cannot think straight. They cannot think practically. They just get carried away emotionally. And those who are very sharp in their intellect, very sensible, they’re not sensitive to others’ needs and others’ feelings and emotions. Both are incomplete. Isn’t it? That intelligence which is crooked has very little value. And that innocence which has no intelligence has also no value. Often, we find intelligent people are not so innocent. And the innocent people are not so intelligent. But what is needed, what is achievable is innocence, in combination with a sharp intellect.

How to Develop Personality?

Developing your personality starts with understanding yourself. Evaluate what traits you see in yourself, and what you want to improve. Identify and focus on the positive personality traits that strengthen your confidence, openness, perseverance, kindness, and humility.

1. Be Confident: Confidence stands as of great importance factor shaping one’s persona. It’s important to recognize that, regardless of mistakes, setbacks, or guilt, confidence should never diminish. Some may accidently view confidence as an accountability, but, in reality, it’s a person’s prominent strength. Your confidence reflects your character, attitude, and zeal. Enhance your authentic self and your endeavours. Confidence empowers you to silver tongue your identity and stand out yourself in a crowd.
2. Improve Communication Skills: Your manner of speech presents as a reflection of your identity. Be Respectful, considerate, and engage refined language in your communications with others. Maintain simplicity in your interaction during everyday exchanges.
3. Dress-up well: Evolve a keen sense of style and acknowledge the appropriate attire for varied settings, be it the workplace, a social get togethers, or any other occasion. Dressing should harmonize according to context and flatter your distinctive characteristics.
4. Follow Your Passions and Interests: This is the potion for expanding self-confidence. Commit to deploy your finest in your chosen pursuits. This path not only promotes personal growth but also secures your self-assurance.
5. Mind Your Body Language: Utilize affirmative gestures when interacting with others. This indicates your comfort and ease during communication.
6. Hone Your Social Skills: As social beings, we inevitably interact with diverse groups of people. Stay informed about ongoing gatherings and societal developments. Participate in group discussions and seminars to improve your adaptability and ease in engaging within a community of individuals. This will increase your social prowess.
7. Be Truthful: The basis of a good relationship with coworkers and superiors is honesty. Honesty can help one stand out among people who are afraid to speak the truth. It is best to uphold ideals and behave ethically. Personality and others is a sign of a good personality.
8. Develop Leadership Qualities: Leadership skills do not mean how well you give orders to your subordinates. It means how well you can manage your subordinates to accomplish a particular task. Work harder to set an example to your subordinates. Express yourself and always do as you say.
9. Be Optimistic: Have a positive outlook towards everything. Nobody wants to be around a person who is negative and complaining all the time. Nobody wants to work or live with a pessimist.
10. Be a Patient Listener: Be an enthusiastic listener. Listening is a very essential part of communication. This will help you to see things from the eyes of others. Mental presence is a must to be good listener. Try to get away from any possible distraction while talking to your family members, friends and co-workers. Ask questions to let the other person know that you were listening to him/her.
11. Be a Good Learner: Good learning skills in an individual are highly desirable. You should always have the zeal to learn new things while at work. This reflects your enthusiasm. Don’t let yourself repeat the same mistakes. Learn from them.
12. Develop a positive mindset: Adopting a positive mindset can help you to manage stress, overcome challenges, and improve your overall well-being. Practice gratitude, focus on your strengths, and surround yourself with positive people. Remember, improving your personality is a journey, not a destination. Stay committed, be patient, and take small steps toward your personal growth and development every day.

You hear all the slogans, “Save the environment!”, “Save water!”, “Save food!”, “Save our Earth!”, “Save trees!” The most important is, “Save your mind at all costs.”

A developed personality is all about 

• Building one’s support system
• Finding and utilizing opportunities and resources, 
• Improving communication and social networking, 
• Exercising and maintaining healthy and productive ways of being and living,
• Developing and enhancing one’s self-discipline, 
• Building on one’s strengths, 
• Developing and implementing effective career strategies, 
• Managing one’s time and working smarter,
• Accepting and tolerating differences, promoting and empowering one’s creativity and inventiveness, 
• Exploring and investigating new ideas, communicating effectively, 
• Improving one’s sense of humor, loving, supporting and caring for others, accepting and tolerating differences,
• Appreciating other people’s ideas, 
• Keeping good relationships and generally enjoying life.

Who you are today is a product of years of happenings, and it would take time to dig deeper and reconnect with your inner self. However, taking steps in the correct direction counts, and you are in charge of this process.

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