Hitchhiking experience in Australia:
I get quite nervous when I travel whether solo or with my partner, more rather cautious of my surroundings. I leave my comfort and familiar surroundings, then dive deep into the unknown. I surrender and become one with universe. Its too complicated to understand how the universe works. So instead of digging so deep that I would lose my mind, I try to understand myself and people around me.
Today's modern day of age, I feel like we are living in an isolating society. At the same time it conflicts with the feel of needing people who knows us and who we can trust. Especially in big cities we walk around with our heads down without a greet nor a grin. Everyone is a stranger to one another and is scared of each other.
As a reflective being, I feel the importance to get through this inner conflict. Instead of feeling so secluded and going to social places to desperately meeting new friends, I move. I want to hear more stories from all types of people. With no stereotype or categorized structure.
I start with small steps into this way of life. I transit to northern rivers and hitchhiked around small towns. In which I didn’t know hitchhiking is quite common. It was so joyful, I hitched on a daily routine. Even though some days I was so tired and wanted to sit alone in my room just to digest what on earth I was doing! I kept pushing myself.
What really fascinated me was how much people who picked me up, opened up about their life. They shared deep and personal stories. I no longer was a stranger! Phew…I had the breakthrough! I can connect the dots of human mutual ways. everyone has a story, and everyone wants to share their story without being judged or disturb their thought wave of releasing.
I really don’t like social gatherings for this reason. No one seems know when it is their turn to speak. Group of friends or mutual friends always seem to talk on top of each other. Its as if there is no need for a moment of silence between each speaker, so that the listeners can digest the information, and at the same time be conscious of their own energy and the energy of others. This way you know if your story may be boring the listeners and not necessarily related.
I have always practiced to be a better listener with patients and deep understanding. I used to think I am just not good in group conversations and can’t get my voice to be heard at loud events. No. in fact, we must practice group conversation with a talking stick. This is usually done in traditional types, and such talking circles are done in perfection with no need for a ruler nor a manager. Everyone has a voice and a story that needs to be told in all sorts of topic. As soon as their turn gets cut off, you are cutting their inner power off.
When someone opens up to me; whether in a ride, a social gathering or in the street, I am all ears. Once someone opens up about a deep story, I give them my blessings. I always appreciate a story. It helps me understand myself, humanity and of course the universe from a wider perspective.
This is not another story about leaving everything behind and hitchhiking around with no destination.
This is your stories being retold. One thing that keeps making the world go around is storytelling. From ancient times, till now with so many types of media. Don’t ever be afraid to share your stories, whether its through words, a song, visuals or film. The universe is yours and the sky is limitless.
