The World Within

I soon realized that no journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within. -Lillian Smith

Maybe I spend too much time reflecting on the H-tog to Farum every evening. Or perhaps my personality rates high in introspection. Possibly. More likely, my journey is reaching the world within.

A new world surrounds me. Everyday something new, something different. But how does this new world outside affect the world within? It is unlikely that there is a simple answer. And equally unlikely that there is one answer.

Sure, there are the little things like moderately mastering the ‘European’ eating style (fork & knife!) and avoiding certain injury from bicycles. These, however, are external, observable. What on the inside has changed? And equally important, what has not changed?

Perhaps my journeys with Danish culture provide a place to start tackling this question. The majority of my Danish culture experiences have occurred within the context of my host family. My greatest observation: love and family transcend cultural boundaries. While perhaps my family is not the ‘typical’ family, they are proof that love knows no culture. Yes, you could argue that the expression of love is influenced by culture, but the true, pure emotion of love is what I am referencing.

I believe the outward display of love within my host family is simply a reflection of the within love. It is these external observations that I have prompted a questioning of love and family within me. How do I feel love and family within? How does my within express outwardly itself?

So, why even ask these questions? Because sometimes in just asking the question we find the answer. It has become apparent that the question of the within has become a constant theme throughout my journeys. In that regard, this is most likely just one post in a series of posts.

Now back to all this school work!

Your traveler,

Anna