I just got back from TravelCon 2018 (www.TravelCon.org #TravelCon18) in Austin, TX and it was amazing. I realize that the idea of going to a travel blog conference is on the top 10 list of every reader (I know that this is not the case, but humor me for a moment). It is interesting to walk through life loving writing and being the odd man out. This was the first time I walked into a room and was greeted with excitement because we all had at least two things in common. We all love travel, and we all love writing!

I would be lying if I told you there wasn’t some trepidation as I walked into this new environment. There was a part of me that felt like I was back in Jr. High school. I am naturally an extrovert, but in this situation this little introverted version of me showed up. It was weird.

I learned a couple of things out of this travel experience, and I wanted to take a blog and highlight them because I think it may apply to more people than just myself. A part of me had an epiphany as a result of this adventure. I realize that the theme of this blog is to share stories that invite people to get out and see the world. There is another aspect though that I think I want to accomplish: I also want to plant a seed in the hearts and minds of people that they can make a real difference in the world through simple acts of kindness when we travel.

My only problem is that I am asking people to do two things that are not high up on the actionable items list. First, I’m inviting them to travel. The more I engage with people, the more I think they are intrigued with the idea of travel, especially international travel, but tend to not travel based on fear and misinformation. Especially when you consider that the business of broadcast news is to highlight the bad stuff happening in the world. Bad news sells the best and gets the highest ratings.

Second, I’m inviting them to serve while on these many travel adventures. Serving outside our native environments can feel unnerving. Where do I find opportunities? Will it be safe? How do I know if the service that I’m wanting to do would even be helpful? These are all great questions.

In regards to the first, I believe that I felt the emotion walking into this conference that most people feel when stepping out of their comfort zone to travel. I haven’t felt that emotion in a long, long time. Because of this I think I have failed to empathize with people well when they express concern about traveling. For me personally, I made the decision to embrace the uncomfortable. I leaned into the environment and stepped out. I walked up to people and felt the excitement of acceptance of some, and also the discomfort of indifference. It was hard, but so worthwhile.

Travel is the same way. When we move beyond our discomfort to embrace the unknown, a whole new world awaits that has the potential to give us insight about this amazing world we live in and the people that inhabit it. By embracing the idea of stepping out, we grow as humans. We learn for the first time that the news we see in our homes and on our devices may not be giving us a completely accurate picture.

In regards to the second, I know that it is a tough sell to ask people that are already uncomfortable with travel to add an element of serving to the equation. I should manage my expectations and take the win if they simply take the leap and step into the unknown of travel, right?

I disagree. I have spent the past two decades leading groups of people all over the world to not only travel, but to serve. I have watched a father and daughter be transformed in Sun-Saharan Africa while serving AIDS orphans. I have seen a single mom impacted deeply as she lovingly served a leper colony in India. I have seen High School students bring dignity to families living in a garbage dump in Ecuador. I have seen Jr High students be destroyed by young Mexican students of the same age as they played a soccer match in a poor community on the outskirts of a resort town. I have been overwhelmed as a dad as I have watched each of my three kids join me in communities all over the world serving people in ways that were both meaningful and helpful to those being served.

The common thread to all of these people stepping out to serve is that they found out that serving is an amazing experience to embrace when you do so in community. The same was true for me this week. As I walked around the conference, it was intimidating on my own. But I showed up to a gathering of people that are a part of an online community I am a part of called Location Indie (www.locationindie.com). One of the co-founders, a guy named Travis Sherry was there and he immediately greeted me, and, hand in tow, took me over to meet other people that are a part of the same group. The result? Instant friends! I was no longer unknown at this conference. I had people!

I want to inspire people to travel. Even more, I want to inspire people to get out and serve. There is a world full of need and opportunities and each of us could be a part of seeing change happen. Don’t do it alone though. There are communities of people out there just waiting to take you by the hand and introduce you to others that want to be a part of change. You may even be surprised that when you travel, and when you serve, your ability to appreciate what you have and your personal gratitude scale will increase.

By the time you have read this, I will have flown back to Phoenix, picked up another suitcase, and collected a group of people to go serve in the Philippines next week. The majority of these people are new to travel, and definitely new to serving in this way. You know what I am most excited about for this group? They persevered beyond the uncomfortable. The punched fear in the face and found a community of people to serve with. I never get tired of seeing this. And I never get tired of inviting others to do the same.