Brandi–

I'm incredibly envious; for a long time, I've been envisioning a small village in Italy myself.  Italy because I've got roots there, and small village because it's the best way to get to really know a people, as I'm sure you're discovering!  My favorite line that you wrote here is “everyone seems so alive.”  Why do you think that is?  I'd wager a bet it's because they're more focused on human interactions than gaining ownership of x,y,z.  Thoughts?  I'd love to hear more about it.  Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your comment.  On my way to check out your blog now. 

Hey, Stacy.  Appreciate you taking the time to swing by and comment. 

I understand what you're saying, but I think you're missing the point here.  We AREN'T tolerant of other people's lifestyles and opinions because we DO believe in absolute truths.  I didn't say they don't exist–they definitely exist in our minds.  I'm just questioning whether or not they should, and to that I answer no.  Yes, everytime we disagree with sometime, we are asserting our own truth.  I didn't mean to imply that they don't exist in your head….they do.  I mean to say that they don't exist in actuality, because everyone has their own.  And if everyone has his/her own, then how can there be only one?  There can't be. 

And wherever you go in the world, murder, rape, oppression, cheating, lying –these are all all defined differently.  So again, these are relative truths.  In one place, what constitutes oppression is defined differently than in another place.  These are all relative definitions, not absolute ones. 

However, I do agree very much with your last point, and I make that same point in my Operation: Get Excited, where I encourage people to get out in their communities and explore the world we have available to us….making the point that travel isn't always necessary (although I still would advocate it). 

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts – I hope I cleared up some of the confusion on what I meant by this post!

Ha, of course I didn't mean it sucks in general……but one reason that the IDEA of marriage sucks is that it's touted as the default expectation of everyone, when it seems quite probable that a considerable percentage of the population may not be well-suited for that particular path.  Yet it's still the expectation.  Somehow, marriage became synonymous with “what we're suppose to do,” and I think in THAT it sucks. 

Love this comment – thank you!  Travel is simply proof that there is no universal reality.  Everyone's is different.  Therefore, how could the traveler *not* argue for relative truth?  Indirectly, that does imply a universal truth….but I'm open to that idea.  What do you think?

I wonder if people often criticize that which is different, not for the fact that of its indifference, but because of indifference's indirect implication that what the other person is doing could potentially be wrong.  Therefore, it's easier to assume that your way is right, to alleviate any lingering psychological doubts and, in turn, feel like you're still a bad ass.  Just a random thought process that went through my head, that's all.

I've never been one to follow any manual, and refused to be tricked into following one for my entire life, that comes disguised as the justification of “the way things are.”

I had this discussion with some girls that I know in my real life, who had read my blog and are very religious.  Needless to say, they were quite disturbed and wanted to talk to me about it.  (Especially in light of my 33 Ways post) In that discussion, my biggest point was what you just mentioned here: Who is anyone to say that their religion is THE way, when no one can prove anything at all?  It's quite conceited, isn't it?  Not to mention ignorant, in my opinion.  It's fine if people have their beliefs…..but that's why they're called beliefs–because that's exactly what they are.  Not truths.  Would be interested in hearing more on your thoughts about this, as someone who is recently going through some ideological shifts!

Beautifully written, Katie.  Thanks for taking the time and energy to put all of that into words, because it's a powerful statement and one I'm glad you made.  To highlight something you said: “This is the country of liberty and freedom, but people don't realize the lack of it.”  To expand on that, I just want to add that I'm always saddened, just a little, by the sheer number of people I speak with while abroad whose greatest dream is to travel to the United States for x, y or z purpose.  I feel as if there are so many who have been erroneously fooled into the mindset that the U.S. is the ticket to success, and then once they get here, are sorely disappointed.  Most are happy with things from a financial standpoint, but I've heard countless numbers of times immigrants who note a lack of any other real benefit to living in the U.S.  Without ragging on the U.S., my point is simply that we tend to be a very narrow-focused society…..and it's a shame.

Dominical!  Had I remembered that at the time, I absolutely would have hunted them down, shown your photo and proceeded to be treated like a queen by association.  Instead, I just walked around barefoot and got chased by wild dogs. 

In Ashtopia (clearly the most appropriate name), we'd just hire some naked dancers and maybe fly in George Clooney from time to time to make life more exciting.  Maybe George can bring Matt Damon along and he can reenact scenes from Bourne.  Only if I get to be his girlfriend in the movie, though.

Hey Austin!  Yes, I've done a lot of reading on the topic and have come across the argument that the statement of “there is no universal truth” being regarded as a universal truth itself, which is certainly self-contradicting.  Without trying to make a huge philosophical statement, I'd simply like to reinforce the idea that truth is subjective, and we should be mindful of that in making bold, rigid claims of superiority–in any context.  Reality is the product of perception, and since perception is, by definition, flexible, then reality must be as well.  What are your thoughts???

You know, I've thought about this some.  I've often thought that it would be wonderful to be in a state of awe with our own land, with our own city, with our own backyard.  And I've contemplated why, exactly, we aren't.  All I can come up with is that familiarity is the death of our consciousness.  That said, I wonder if it's possible to get the same awakening effect through effort, versus spontaneous awakening through novelty.  Either way, it's a worthwhile goal – feeling alive is, after all, the point since that is exactly what we are: Alive.  And too often we forget it.  Thanks for the thoughtful insight, Nate!

As I just mentioned above, I think the real key is in thinking critically about everything–not because we want to be some smarty-pants show-off, or even so we can easily adapt (although important), but because it is the only way that we can be confident in our decisions, our lives and ourselves.  Otherwise, how will we really know that the actions we're taking are in our best interest, and not in the best interest of, oh…..everyone else?  Blind faith?  Bah.  Slow.  Agonizing.  Death.  As you so eloquently stated. 

Yes, religion, marriage and education can certainly be positive things, to different people….but I take issue with all three when they are positioned as *the* path to take.  By blindly doing as we are told, by the greater society, we've drastically reduced our ability to think critically about the world.  Maybe that's why most famous philosophers lived wayyy back when.  How many famous philosophers do you hear of now?

Yee-haw, Ben – thank you for reading – I imagine that for some who have only ever experienced their own reality, it might be almost impossible to imagine that there are many, many other versions out there…but to experience another version will inevitably change that of your own, indefinitely, and that just further serves as confirmation that realities are flexible.  Any one person who insists on any given perspective, or reality, is, unfortunately, a victim of his/her own.  Thanks again for stopping by, and for the kind words!  You made me smile.