Travel and New Perspectives

We are born into a specific place, time and culture, and each culture has an influence on our ideas and ways of perceiving the world.

I have come to realize that one way we can influence our ideas and ways of living is through travel for work and pleasure to differing countries and differing cultures... Thus two questions come to mind:

• I wonder if it would be fun for you to take a little time and name each country you have visited?
• And, upon brief reflection can you now easily identify three positive changes that have come about in your life as a result of your travel experiences.

It's only fair that I go first and I look forward to learning from you.

Travel for work and pleasure

Canada... Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.

USA... Maine, NH, Vermont, Mass, NY, NJ, PA, Michigan, Ohio, Idaho, Wisconin, Illinois, District of Columbia, the Virginias, North and South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, Florida and California.

United Kingdom... England and Scotland.

Caribbean... Barbados, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Jamaica and St. Kitts.

Mexico... Cabo San Lucas

Hong Kong

Mainland China (PRC).

Three positive changes as a result of my travel experiences

1. I now have the ability see, hear, feel and think about situations and experiences from a variety of very different perspectives... In technological terms somewhat akin to the principle of requisite variety.

2. In China I was blessed to have the experiences, for the first time in my life at age 51, of becoming an immigrant and a person in the minority. These very personal experiences have enabled me to relate to people in entirely new and wonderfully useful ways.

3. The magical journey toward mutual understanding, respect, acceptance and successful adaptation between people of differing cultures is at times challenging, at other times joyful and always... a gift.