Definition:
Is a journey something where we go miles with a vehicle? Is a journey something more abstract, a representation of a process to achieve something?
There are many different meanings to a journey. Mentally, someone might go through a ‘journey’ in their mind to shape their thinking. Physically, a journey is where you start moving somewhere else. You can embark on a journey to achieve something but you can also embark on a journey for the sake of enjoyment. Either way, a journey contains a process and hardships you must overcome your comfort zone in order to reach a certain goal.
Why is it so important?
Everyone, including me and you, have a journey that we are going through. Yet, the main difference here is the ‘you’ before and after the journey. We can fail to reach a certain goal, then acknowledge the vastness of the universe and how incapable we are of it. But in the end, after struggling through countless hardships, we know more and this failure then motivates us to move forward, because the good stuff is always further ahead.
Understanding the meaning of a journey means not backing down from failure, as exemplified by one of my favorite quotes from physicist Brian Cox:
“The practice of science happens at the border between the known and the unknown. Standing on the shoulders of giants, we peer into the darkness with eyes opened not in fear but in wonder.”
This quote suggests to us that in order to fully understand the process of science, we must “peer” through the unknown with not “fear” but wonder. From my point of view, metaphorically, this quote demonstrates the basic emotion of human fear of the unknown. This fear alone, is in which professor Brian Cox perceived as a threat to science development. We are scared that we won’t be able to reach our goals, giving up to stare with our eyes “opened” into the “unknown” instead of “wondering” about it. Linking back to the idea of journey, it again demonstrates how you must overcome your comfort zone in order to reach a certain goal.
The idea of Fate vs Journey:
Fate is a very common belief throughout the history of humanity. It’s commonly used as a way to explain super rare phenomena which almost seems impossible that turns out to be true. People tend to say “i’m destined” to be like this or “my fate is sealed” to be like that and then proceed to do nothing as it will not change the outcome. This idea directly challenges the meaning of a journey. I consider those who perceive themselves to know their fate as either arrogant or too pessimistic. Even if the idea of fate is really true, how would they know it’s their fate?
But the real question here still is, even if you knew the end of your journey, would you still embark on it?
The answer is yes, even if the ending you foresee is good or bad to you. The point is the lack of knowledge you possess for a normal human being.To experience something conventionally implies a change in perspective. So, once more, I urge you to set forth on your own ‘journey’ with passion and courage for the fact that nothing will change except for the way you perceive the ‘journey’ you have been through.