Destination: Travel between the world, books and inspiration
Traveling the world and in books
You know that feeling you get when you read a story and it engulfs you so much that you wish you were part of the action? To visit a kingdom, have an adventure with dragons, or simply attend a grand ball? If I had the chance, I certainly wouldn't hesitate. (With a few exceptions, I don't think I'd really want to go to the world of GOT.)
Personally, I was enchanted by The Fellowship of the Ring. When I close my eyes and imagine Middle-earth, I'd be hard-pressed to find another literary world that could evoke such a thirst for adventure and exploration as Tolkien's stories. Reading draws us into fantastic worlds full of magic, danger, and heroism. But what happens when we close the book and open our eyes back to reality? Can a story inspire us to venture out into the world ourselves and become part of great stories?
Stories that inspire
Tolkien's books are a great example of how stories can become metaphors for our own journeys. When we follow Frodo as he ventures into Mordor, or Bilbo as he leaves his home and goes on an adventure, it's not just about fighting dragons or finding the ring. It's all about the courage to leave our comfort zone and find a strength we may not even know we have.
And that's often how it works in real life. Reading can be the first step to leaving the safety of our everyday lives and embarking on our own quest, even if it's just a little further from the familiar.
Traveling between the pages and the real world
When we read books like Harry Potter, we are enchanted by the idea of Hogwarts, the mysterious corridors, and the magical world that awaits around every corner. This escape from reality gives us the courage to dream up our own adventures and travel to discover magical places in the real world. But not everything that looks romantic and adventurous in books is like that in reality.
Diana Gabaldon's The Stranger is a case in point. When Claire goes through the stone circle and finds herself in 18th-century Scotland, at first glance it may seem like an amazing historical adventure. But the reality is much harsher - danger, cruelty, and clashes with a past that was not as idyllic as it might have seemed to await her. That's not what one really wants. Honestly, just the idea of the hygiene of that time scares me enough on its own, not to mention the other modern things and conveniences I'm used to, not to say already addicted to. That's why it's important when traveling to foreign cultures or unfamiliar places to not only keep a romantic view in mind but also to be cautious and respectful of the history and present of those places.
Authenticity through experience
Some writers don't hesitate to go on their own adventures for an authentic take on their stories. Ernest Hemingway, for example, was known for his passion for adventure and travel. His books such as The Old Man and the Sea and Goodbye, Army are the result of his real-life experiences of fishing, war zones, and life in Spain and Cuba. Hemingway believed that if he wanted to write about the struggle with nature or war, he had to experience it himself.
Let's not be afraid to bring stories into reality
The books we read often reflect what we desire or are interested in. If we are drawn to stories of strong heroines, adventures in unknown lands, or romantic journeys into the past, they may mirror our own desires and hidden ambitions. There's nothing wrong with being inspired by a book and bringing some of its ideas into our own lives. If a story motivates us to be unafraid to explore the world, take risks on new experiences, or stand up for what's important to us, why should we just stay on the pages?
Every book we read leaves us with something of its own. Sometimes it's a beautiful experience, other times it's a seed of an idea that will eventually grow into the courage to change. Whether books inspire us to travel, find new challenges, or deepen relationships, it's important not to dwell on daydreaming.
Reading is wonderful, but it's the beginning of a journey, the destination can be a reality, and it's up to us when we step out.
So which book do you think has inspired you to change or travel?
