Why Collecting Experiences is Important

I once heard a quote from Walt Disney that said, “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths”. I truly believe that. Life as we know it can change in an instant. I learned that the hard way when I lost my hearing in 2006. The first time I heard something similar I was a freshman at Arizona State University (ASU). This orientation speaker said to “make the most of your college experience”. At the time, I thought it was just some cliché statement that they make every year to every single freshman. However, I embraced the idea since it seemed like I collected a new friend every day the first three weeks of school (many I have dubbed my college sisters and am still close with today). Oh the adventures we had and created (don't worry ladies; I'm not spilling the beans LOL). These are moments and experiences I will cherish forever.

Two years later, I moved to Atlanta to help a friend who claimed that nobody else was in her corner and that she needed me there. Later, it turned out this was not entirely true, and that she just wanted me to come. It was at this moment that I decided to make the most out of this new experience. I reinvented myself in the new (vastly different from PHX) culture - professionally, socially, and scholastically. I had a full course-load, two part-time jobs, two internships, was a chairperson of a homecoming committee, a cheerleader, just joined Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and had just enough time to socialize with my roommates & friends who all attended colleges in the A.U.C. (all without having a car and living almost two-hours south of my school by bus/train).

Shortly after that, I lost my hearing and had to relocate to Houston where the “better doctors” were located (topic for another time). While trying to figure out what was going on with my hearing, I had to reinvent myself again, but this time was much more difficult since no one outside of my parents (and sorority sister who took me to the doctor) knew I couldn't hear. Secretly deaf/HOH, I still became active in serving the Houston community, periodically social and determined scholastically (the job issue was much harder but I found seasonal places when I could). This list goes on and on. The optimist in me refused to settle for these “things just happening to me”. I chose to believe that there was a purpose to every experience I was having. As I reflected upon the statement that the ASU speaker had once said, I began to collect experiences wherever I went - whether it was a relocation or a vacation. The only person responsible for my happiness is me. So, I will continue to collect experiences until my last breath. For example, I took my son to the Dallas Arboretum.

I have always loved flora. There’s something special about all the colors, textures, and styles of plants. This was my first time to the Dallas Arboretum. It is only fitting that me and Jellybean go see the pumpkins for autumn. What we found was a plethora of beautiful plants and flowers. Many of the specialty gardens were immaculate. It makes you take a step back and appreciate the simplicity and the complexity of nature. This was one of the best experiences I’ve had in a while, and I’m glad I got to share with my son. After a week of being a workaholic, this was a much-needed staycation.

Can anyone else relate to collecting experiences? Share your BEST travel experiences with me! And join me so we can have experiences together while collecting experiences.