Spread Love While Traveling

My fellow Pinoy Travel Bloggers are writing about places where broken-hearted people go (more info of this at the end of the blog). I guess I can’t relate that much on the subject (denial?) as I don’t break hearts but mend them (naks!).

Travelers go to the beach to forget their ex-es or failed love relationships. As someone said, “The cure for anything is saltwater- sweat, tears or the sea.” Some go up to the highest mountains and shout it all to the trees as they wipe their tears off their cheek. Still some just wanna get lost in the city, trying to forget the haunting past. Some even drink a beer to somehow ease the pain. Whatever works for you, then do it. But then, remember that everything happens for a reason. So instead of crying over that jerk, fix yourself and spread love this love month.

“The cure for anything is saltwater- sweat, tears or the sea.” – Isak Dinesen

I will share Three (3) Ways to Spread Love While Traveling.

1. Free Yourself, Volunteer.

Friends volunteered to teach elementary students in Sorsogon Province. You can watch the TV5 Feature here: 5-deacede library in Gubat, Sorsogon 

It doesn’t matter where you want to volunteer in big organizations or in a  small community, what matters is that you are doing something other than yourself. One day is not enough in volunteering as this is done in a growing relationship. Brotherhood is forged and we begin to give something from within us. Ourselves are invested to others who are usually of less means compared to us. What I like about volunteering is that we don’t actually need lots of money to do this. We do this by freeing ourselves from the business of our daily routine to focus on something more lasting and intangible like building someone’s home, cleaning the beach, teaching basic education, helping a tribe, giving medical help or community building.

“We do this [volunteering] by freeing ourselves from the business of our daily routine to focus on something more lasting and intangible…”

2. Forget Yourself, Share.

Our first successful project, giving of running shoes to our young athletes in Negros Oriental.

This is not far away from Volunteering. Sometimes these two happen at the same time. But this is more focused on giving something tangible. I’m reminded of two highlights in my travel blogging career. First, when we donated running shoes to some highscool students in Bayawan City in Negros Oriental last 2011. Second, when we did a Book Sharing Project in Rizal Elementary School in Gubat, Sorsogon.

“This is not far away from Volunteering. Sometimes these two happen at the same time. But this is more focused on giving something tangible.”

This year, we will do this again in Jomalig Island, Quezon. We are partnering with the LGU and DOH for improving the malnutrition state in the town of Jomalig. Please visit the blog #PROJECTJOMALIG and the FB Event page for updates.

3. Fraternize Yourself, Accompany.

Accompany someone who is broken-hearted. Give a shoulder to cry on, open arms to those who needs a hug or provide a listening ears to those who are in pain. Travel with them so they relearn that the end of a relationship doesn’t mean an end to everything. Help them realize that there is a big world out there and that life goes on even if their boyfriend/girlfriend for 8 years fooled them. Let them see the world and somehow learn that its not about them.

“Travel with them so they relearn that the end of a relationship doesn’t mean an end to everything.”

Be with them, watch the sunset with them, drink with them, party with them and support them. Be a real friend, a travel buddy to somebody. Bring them to your happy beach and let them discover the value of other things. (Bawal abangers ha!)

So next time you travel, travel not just for the sake of traveling. Travel with a purpose! VOLUNTEER. SHARE. ACCOMPANY. Try adding meaning to your journeys. Our life journey should not be done solo anyway. 🙂

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This is my contribution to the February 2013 Blog Carnival entitled “WHERE DO BROKEN HEARTS GO?” hosted by Rain of Rakistang Nars.

You can review the past topics by clicking the blog carnival image below: