The World is Bigger Than Your Feed: Lessons from a Global Citizen
The World is Bigger Than Your Feed: Lessons from a Global Citizen
The world feels enormous, doesn't it? Scrolling through endless feeds can make it seem infinite, yet for the past six years, my reality has been one of constant motion across its surface. Leaving Scottsdale back in '19, I envisioned a two-year quest for a new home. Life, with a hefty assist from COVID and then the stubborn realities of finances, had other plans.
This unplanned global life has gifted me experiences I couldn't have dreamt of. I've fallen head over heels for foreign lands and the intricate tapestry of their cultures. I've connected deeply with people whose origins painted a completely different map of the world. But it hasn't been a perpetual postcard. There have been struggles, moments of profound loneliness that cling like a damp fog, and sacrifices that often went unseen.
"Wow, you've traveled so much! I envy that," is a common refrain. And as I've learned to say, the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the passport stamp. This constant movement has cast its own shadows. My health has at times felt like a ship tossed in a storm, and the crushing weight of deep depression has been a frequent, unwelcome companion.
Yet, within these peaks and valleys, the lessons have been immense. I've learned as much about how not to live as I have about truly embracing it. Relationships have fractured, new ones have blossomed in unexpected corners of the globe. I've stood within cultures I once only encountered in textbooks, shared silence with elders who embodied the very slow living many of us only fantasize about. And through it all, the constant has been learning. New perspectives have bloomed, a deeper compassion for the multifaceted human experience has taken root. What ignites fury in one soul can spark profound love in another. This, I believe, is the captivating essence of being human.
In 2019, as my two-year exploration began, my spiritual mentor, residing in Portugal, extended an invitation. My initial thought was that a trip then was logistically impossible. Yet, the next morning, a clear inner nudge directed me to Portugal. A flight for under $200 materialized. My business was buzzing, but escaping the distractions to the quiet embrace of a remote Portuguese town was precisely what my soul craved.
Reconnecting with nature allowed me to tap into a new level of productivity. Even a return to Scottsdale for an event in early 2020 was punctuated by an undeniable pull to return to Portugal for three more weeks before heading to LA – a decision I'm eternally grateful for as the world soon ground to a halt, allowing me to spend the next year in Europe. I even experienced a slice of relative normalcy in Sweden, where public transport and gyms remained open while much of the world locked down.
One of the most cherished chapters of this exploration unfolded in Peru. The sacred valley there will forever hold a piece of my heart. An invitation to a retreat in 2021 arrived at a pivotal moment. I'd just walked away from a demanding venture, turning 33 and craving a digital detox, a month to breathe before stepping into that new age.
I fell so deeply for that land that a month stretched into four. I found a home in a welcoming house and immersed myself in the vibrant pulse of the country. I witnessed firsthand what it means to live authentically, rooted in the land and the interconnectedness of community.
You could see the quinoa swaying in the fields, knowing it would soon nourish you. The gentle gaze of the cow grazing, destined for your dinner. Everything that graced my plate was born of that very region. No carbon footprint of globally shipped produce. It was a period of unparalleled health for me, almost entirely devoid of processed foods. The simple sweetness of the local fruit was a revelation.
Imagine a world where we could only consume what our immediate surroundings offered. The ripple effect on global conglomerates would be seismic. Are we truly meant to have strawberries in December, or should our diets dance with the rhythm of the seasons?
What else has this journey etched onto my soul? The world, despite its vastness, feels remarkably smaller than we often perceive. And beneath the surface of differing finances and faiths, lies a powerful current of commonality. Strip away the superficial layers, and what every human heart truly yearns for is love. Love from family, from neighbors, even from those we might consider our enemies. This fundamental desire transcends the color of our skin, the borders we draw on maps.
Perhaps there's an element of addiction to the constant novelty of travel. A new vista, a fresh experience, a new face to encounter. New logistical puzzles to solve – where to sleep, what to eat. Boredom rarely gets a foothold when you're perpetually in motion. Yet, this constant flux also creates a barrier to true vulnerability. Why fully expose yourself when you know this connection might be fleeting? To share profound moments, knowing tonight might be the only time your souls intertwine in this particular dance of life.
Some of my most treasured memories are woven from shared experiences – trips and retreats with others. To witness a moving sunset paint the sky alongside someone, to conquer a mountain trail together, to ride a wave with a newfound friend – these are the memories that stubbornly refuse to fade. Even sharing a meal in a sea of unfamiliar languages forges an unforgettable bond.
I owe my early exposure to the world to my parents. And perhaps being an immigrant in a country that wasn't always welcoming back then played a role too. The sting of being mocked for my accent in school, being a Canadian in a Confederate state in the 90s – the US was a different landscape then.
This global wandering also solidified a realization: I no longer envision building a family and life within the United States. The US has been good to my family and me, yet the dominant lifestyle feels unsustainable. The relentless focus on consumerism, wealth, beauty, and fame feels like a recipe for the very societal challenges we've witnessed in recent decades. The drive to climb the social ladder, even if it means stepping on others for a few more followers or dollars, felt palpable.
Oh, how the world has shifted since COVID, and not always for the better. How can we cultivate a more open mindset? How can we glean wisdom from other cultures? How can we extend more compassion in a world that often feels fractured? There is enough abundance for all of us to live our best lives. So, step outside, look beyond your screen, and see the world for yourself. You might just find that the connections you forge beyond your familiar horizons are the ones that truly enrich your journey.
Connect... Gordon GordonBufton@proton.me @GordonBufton33