I don’t talk about it often (although, maybe I should), but I’ve spent an actual year of my life on walkabouts, driving around the United States with a dog and no plan.
Most mornings, I woke up, picked a direction, and went.
Other mornings, I had a place to stay and no urgency to leave, so I explored.
I went all sorts of places and visited dozens of cities, and you know what was common about every place I visited? They were all filled with genuine people doing their best at this thing we call living.
A year on the road as a single female could be a dangerous proposition. I’m sure that is some locations and environments being alone with a dog could have been terrifying.
But it wasn’t for me. Wherever I went, I was safe. Sometimes, I was even overtly watched over. I had countless conversations with innumerable people on topics I never would have explored on my own. And, with each conversation, my view of the world got bigger and bigger, along with my sense of where I stood in that world.
It’s for this reason I say that every stranger you meet is a chance to see yourself through new eyes. Because it’s true.
And everyone you meet has a message for you.