February 2025

Steps to Enjoy Travel with Purpose

GIVEjoy aims to inspire you to live life with purpose, intention, and joy. This blog is focused on three pillars: GIVE, GROW, and PLAY which can transform travel into a profound life experience. St. Augustine captures this beautifully in the quote, “The world is a book and those who do not travel ready only one page.” Here’s how you can elevate your travels and customize them based on your goals and passions.

Let’s focus on each pillar to explore and consider how it can enhance your experience traveling.

GIVE: Focus on something bigger than yourself .

Volunteer travel is an incredible way to GIVE while away from home. I’ve had the opportunity to volunteer with extraordinary non-profits focused on making a positive difference including Cross-Cultural Solutions, Habitat for Humanity, JJoy Foundation, The Fuller Center for Housing, VBC (Volunteers Building Cambodia). Volunteer travel with organizations offers unique opportunities to collaborate and make a lasting difference, regardless of your skills. It will be a life-changing experience!

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
― St. Augustine

GROW: Cultivate a curiosity and growth mindset with continuous learning, growth, and fitness.

As mentioned in the 2024 GIVEjoy post Surprising Benefits of Travel, “Traveling the world isn’t just fun and exciting; there’s ample research to suggest it’s highly beneficial for your physical, mental, and emotional health as well.”. Step out of your comfort zone, try local foods, learn new traditions, and embrace new experiences to broaden your perspective. Each trip will give you unique experiences to help you better understand the country – and expand your horizons.

PLAY: Life is short – have fun and make it count.

Being out of your comfort zone away from home can be exhilarating, humbling, and inspiring…and sometimes all in the same day. Travel pushes you to explore, learn, and laugh (if you’re not taking yourself too seriously). Whether it’s trying a new sport, learning a local phrase, or simply enjoying the present – cherish every moment just as it is and SMILE. That makes all the difference!