One evening, after one
more national orange alert filled with warnings about travel,
personal security, and living cautiously, I began thinking
about all the young adults involved in The Krista Foundation
for Global Citizenship that serve with courage throughout
challenging places, both in developing nations and in American
inner cities (see www.kristafoundation.org). It made me wonder
if new generations of American children, raised with such
constant messages of danger, will no longer engage life with
such an adventuresome desire to travel, learn, and serve.
Not able to sleep, I started thinking through the warnings
and negative assumptions that Helga needed to examine as she
journeyed across America and ended up writing up a few of
the ideas that her experiences seem to illustrate. Sometimes
when I'm speaking about Bold Spirit to audiences I present
these, referring both to real travel opportunities, and the
metaphoric journeys in life we all encounter. Many have asked
for a copy, so it's included below:
A Case for Travel
A bold walker's wisdom for a spirited journey
From Bold Spirit: Helga
Estby's Forgotten Walk Across Victorian America
by Linda Lawrence Hunt
Compelled by love, embark on worthy journeys
Face fear and prepare for dangers, but choose courage
Think and act one step at a time, believing in yourself
Be open to all hearts and hearths, making
friends from all classes, races, genders, and religions
Welcome travel companions; don't go it alone in unchartered
land
Dress wisely, travel light, and avoid unnecessary burdens
State your needs, and trust in others to help
Examine all negative assumptions and give your energy and
hope to possibilities
Pray when lost, and carry a compass
With eyes wide open, savor the journey, pausing to refresh
along the way
Be transformed by life's travels, and take this with you
for life
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness
has genius, power, and magic in it. Johann Wolfgang
Von Goethe
