Life, it’s a precious thing. I’m sure you all know that. But how much do we truly appreciate life and how much do we truly take for granted. Due to recent events in my life, I wanted to share why I have such a big passion for travel. Well one of the main reasons why (I have many).

To me, travel is life.

While I was not privileged to get to travel to exotic places when I was young, I decided to change that and make traveling my life goal. And I have never been so passionate about something in my entire life.

Already I’ve visited places like New York City, Las Vegas, and some islands on the eastern Caribbean. And for that I am truly blessed. And now, this upcoming fall of 2014 I get to finally live out my dream of going to Europe (More on this on another post).

But what I want to elaborate on is how much I appreciate the life I live and how privileged I am to be alive. While, no, I don’t make money traveling and no I don’t have a particular job that lets me travel the world. But I am living, breathing, and loving everything and everyone in my life.

You see, travel is something that doesn’t come easy. I mean it can for people who have money, but for many others it can be something that they can only dream of. I lived a good life growing up, my family loved and cared for me and gave me everything my heart desired.

And while it took me awhile to realize how important it was to travel and dream big, (I’d like to thank Samantha Brown and Great Hotels on Travel Channel for that), now I realized how much I want my life to be a big adventure no matter how big or small it will be.

Personally, everyone has excuses to not do something they’re passionate about. They also have excuses as to why they think their lives suck and why they can’t do this or do that. Well, in my opinion, those people need to wake up and realize how fortunate they are.

Everyone has their own issues in life and everyone has things that are tough and need to get through. I will include myself in that last statement. I’m not rich or famous, so I can’t just pick up and travel the world on my daddy’s dollar. I have to work for it. Just like everyone else does.

I guess what this post is basically saying is to wake up and just do it. And put a smile on your face while you’re at it. Life is hard. Life can suck. But how about you start thinking how far in life you’ve already come and how much you’ve already overcame in this life no matter what age you are at. Think about the people that are surrounding you in your life and how much they care and love you. Think about how you’re breathing and alive.

Think about positive things. Think happy. Maybe it’s the optimist in me and all you cynics are just scolding me. But try smiling and try thinking about how you’re alive and how you currently live. I’m sure you’ll find something good.

So cheers to happiness and cheers to traveling to add to your happiness. And a bigger cheers to you and the life you live.

Also never be afraid to dream BIG. You might surprise yourself at what you’re capable of doing to achieve those dreams.