How to travel

"It's better to go well than to arrive." ~ Buddha

I have this on a road trip. I love them, I can't get enough of them. I have never flown another plane as long as I stay and live with it - but I like to have all the experiences that can only happen on the road.

Like my mom we slept in our car in a closed car park on our way to Sedona, Arizona. We have foolishly decided to leave the hotel line outside Phoenix and look for something “unusual” —until, at three o'clock in the morning, we realize that we were in the middle and that the most spectacular thing was the saguaro cactus.

There is something wonderful about having the experience of getting to a certain place and understanding exactly what it takes to get there; to understand the earth, the people, the culture, and the climate in a way that you cannot fly.

There’s also something about exploring the dark roads of my country that I love.

Small differences and similarities are attractive. Driving from Tahoe City and ending, after three hours on the road, in a small, one-horse town in Nevada you eat a BBQ and drink beer with cowboys - this experience keeps the mind clean and life exciting.

I love that the secrets of a successful road trip are the same as the secrets of a successful life:

1. Be prepared.

On the road: Make sure the car has gas and bring a charged cell phone, change of clothes, maps, water, and maybe even a snack, and your sense of humor.

In life: Plan for basic necessities (food, water, safe living, social support) but also expect unexpected things to happen. Do your best to save money, build strong relationships with others who will help you when you need it, and improve your self-care skills (confidence, emotional control, and setting boundaries).

2. Be flexible.

On the Road: Anything can and will probably happen. Save yourself some stress and don't expect everything to turn out the way you planned. Always be flexible and open-minded, and allow what is going on inside.

In life: The saying goes "If you want to make God happy, tell him your plans." By cultivating an open mind and heart, knowing our judgments and thinking and acting responsibly in being honest and open, we can learn to be flexible in any situation, no matter what.

3. Don't be judgmental.

On the street: You will meet people you never thought existed (a cow that loves Bush, his wife who loves Obama, and their beautiful Chihuahua). To engage with anyone you meet, you will need to leave your judgments at the door. It is easy to talk about injustice, and it is difficult to do so.

In Life: Be empathetic to yourself by keeping judgments - we all do - but work to know yourself and let judicial situations be a sign that you need to look at your inner process.

4. You want to be where you are.

Roadmap: Road trip is about being open to new experiences - going nowhere. Throw a schedule and just drive. Take the winding road around the hills because it looks beautiful, not because it takes you where you want to go. You will not regret it, and there are always other paths to follow if one is disappointed.

In Life: Cultivate a warm welcome and a curiosity about where you are, rather than driving away. The intentions are good, but being present is also important. Life is happening now.

5. Keep a record.

On the Road: Photos, magazine inserts, heck, and even Facebook updates - memory is a dynamic and often we see our progress as we track it.

In Life: A journal can help us to know how old we are and where we stand.

6. Naka.

On the road: Be present, for that is the only place you will ever hear. Temperature, air sense, smell, geography, buildings,