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Recently I began a journey with no real plan and no real end. All I had was an intense urge pulling me towards the sea and a vague idea that had only recently began to grow. An idea of traveling in a way that allows me to help some of the people that I meet to fulfill their dreams while I am simultaneously fulfilling mine. I was curious to find out if it could be possible. So I set off to try.

I had previously done something similar when I, together with help from volunteers and private sponsors, organized a one week long educational trip to the ocean for 92 orphan children in Kenya. The trip was a Christmas surprise during which we fulfilled the children’s dream of seeing the ocean for the first time in their lives. At the same time we fulfilled our wish of travelling, exploring interesting parts of Africa in a purposeful way and growing on a personal level.

The children’s reactions were amazing, their joy was endless and their pride after daring to swim in the immense Indian ocean was impossible to hide. The trip awoke something within them; it gave them faith and courage to not only dream but to believe that they are worthy of their dreams and that dreams can indeed become reality. It also awoke something within all of us who helped organizing it; change of perspectives, a new sense of meaningful travels, a realization not only of how much we are able to give to others but also how much more we get in return. And ultimately a deeper feeling of love and gratitude than either one of us had ever felt before.

Below you can see some of the children’s initial reactions when they saw the ocean for the first time:

 

 

 

Although the trip to the ocean was a success it was a short term project with a clear beginning and end. It was carefully planned, fully funded, well organized and structured. My latest idea on the other hand is the complete opposite. I want this new journey to be long lasting, undefined and open to possibilities that arise along the way. I don’t know where that strong urge will lead me but I have decided to trust it and to allow that one tiny idea to take me wherever it’s meant to.

I have saved enough money to keep me floating for around six months after which I will need to find new solutions. I try to tell myself that it’s OK, that I don’t need to worry, that I’ll figure it out along the way. I’m not sure that I will but despite of that I have packed my camera and scuba gear and bought a flight ticket to a destination that I have dreamt of for a long time – The Azorean islands.

I’m finally going back to the sea. I am going to scuba dive again. I am going to learn to sail. I’m going to engage in projects that I believe in and causes that I am passionate about. And I am going to see what happens when strangers share their dream stories with one another and help each other to fulfill those dreams.

If you are curious to know more about the Ocean for Christmas trip mentioned above, as well as similar, ongoing projects visit: https://pointsoftears.wordpress.com/dreamstories/

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