Teleporting
The reality of traveling is not always beautiful, but it is real.
“Beam me up, Scotty” is a phrase I often wish were possible. To travel from one place to another quickly, without the hassle of driving, flying, or packing. But I am also reminded of the warning to be careful what you wish for.
As a curious person, I tend to be restless. My mind and body tend to wander, wonder, and wish for new sights, sounds, smells, and experiences. The reality of the inhumanity of going through security, or the blandness of driving through the infinite fields of soybeans and corn, crushes my desire to travel. To get from one place to another has its pros and cons. I do my best to find the gems, accepting that not every moment will be awe-inspiring. Actually, most moments are ordinary, and it’s the ordinary that has the potential to be awe-inspiring. It might be the circular handrail with paint peeling, or the alligators sunning on a log, or the sun working its magic through the morning mist. Sometimes I have the ability to capture the moment with a photo, other times, the moment is fleeting, so quick all I can do is marvel as I move past it, traveling by foot, car, train, or plane. These moments would not be possible if I were teleported. That is, if it were even possible to be teleported.
As much as I am curious, I have learned there are limits, particularly when traveling. When the gas tank is empty, the car will not run. If there are storms in one region, the effects of the storms extend beyond that region. If the train leaves at 8:30 am, it will not wait for me. As much as I would like to be teleported, it is still not possible. I still need to physically travel from one place to another. To be brutally honest, if I were able to teleport, I would not choose to travel to Waffle House.
