The joy of the tough journey

Journeys that are worthwhile take time.

And in the exploring of unknown territories the time consumed comes with a side helping of challenges, surprises, moments of terror and glimmers of joy.

Journeys are costly and taxing, but they also offer us far more in return.

They start with an image of an end destination in mind, but the countless moments between their start and end are the raw materials for the fascinating stories they inspire.

As a journey unfolds the goal destination becomes just an excuse to take the first step; it ends up as merely a quiet, background servant to the long road that is travelled.

Through the process of the journey, what we gain is a remarkable change in ourselves.

We develop new skills and character, and in this process of personal transformation we become more of ourselves.

It's not the goal itself that is important, it's the winding, challenging, arduous path between the present and the goal that is the ultimate gift that we choose to give ourselves.

Pick your travels wisely, the tough ones are the teachers that make life worth living.