Beyond Travel: The Deeper Journey of Following Your Heart

When people see the photos I post of Carla and me traveling - or read the stories I share from the road - it’s easy to assume I’m trying to inspire others to travel. And sure, if our adventures spark your curiosity or inspire a trip of your own, that brings me joy.

But the truth might surprise you: travel isn’t really at the heart of what I’m sharing.

What I’m reaching for goes deeper than beautiful places or exciting journeys. At its core, what I hope to share is the importance of following your heart. That’s what Carla and I are doing. For us, that journey has taken the shape of cobblestone streets, seaside villages, and centuries-old towns. But your version might look entirely different.

Maybe it’s planting a garden. Rekindling a forgotten passion. Moving closer to the people you love. Or simply choosing to slow down and live with more presence.

More than anything, I hope the posts I share - on the blog, on Facebook - offer encouragement. Maybe even a gentle nudge. To live in a way that feels deeply true to who you are. To listen to your heart, and trust where it leads you.

What I’ve learned along the way is that before you can truly follow your heart, you first have to understand what it’s actually asking for. That might sound obvious, but in my experience, it’s rarely that simple. 

From the moment we’re born, we’re shaped by the world around us - family, teachers, culture, media - all pointing us toward what’s seen as smart, safe, or successful. And ironically, it’s often the people who love us the most who unintentionally steer us away from our true path. They mean well, no doubt. They want what’s best for us. But they’re not living in our skin. They don’t hear the quiet pull of our inner longings or see the dreams that come to us in the stillness.

So we adapt. We make choices that check all the right boxes. We try to fit in, be responsible, make others proud. And then one day, we might look around and realize we’ve built a life that doesn’t fully reflect who we really are. But here’s the thing - that quiet voice inside us? It doesn’t vanish. It waits. Sometimes for years. And when we finally stop to listen, it can take real courage to follow it. It might mean making choices others don’t understand. It might mean saying no when yes would be easier. It might even mean starting over. But if there’s one truth I’ve come to trust, it’s this: living a life that’s truly your own begins with honoring that voice - even if it trembles when it speaks.

Here’s something else I’ve come to understand: following your heart doesn’t suddenly make the road smoother. In fact, it can sometimes feel like life throws up obstacles just to test your commitment. But I don’t believe life is trying to crush our dreams - I think it’s asking, “How much do you really want this? How far are you willing to go?” Turning dreams into reality isn’t for the faint of heart.

When Carla and I decided to spend six to eight months each year traveling through Europe - with the long-term goal of eventually settling there - we knew we were reaching for something big. It was exhilarating and full of promise . . .  but also a little intimidating. To make that dream real, we had to let go of a lot. We sold our home. We parted with nearly everything we owned. And let’s be honest - at 71, that’s not exactly the path most people take. Many of my peers are settling into the comfort of a familiar home, spending more time with grandkids, and easing into retirement with a gentle rhythm.

And honestly, I admire that life. I truly do. I took the time to think about it, to sit with the possibility of choosing that path. But in the end, it wasn’t that that life wasn’t right for me - it’s that this one is. It fits the shape of my heart. Of course, it comes with trade-offs. I won’t be the grandparent who’s always there for every school play, soccer game, or Sunday dinner. That’s a tough reality to face. But as I let myself feel that loss, a new vision slowly began to emerge - one that felt just as rich, just as meaningful, and incredibly exciting for both Carla and me.

Carla and I have a dream we call “Camp Carla and Simcha.” Once the grandkids are old enough, we want to bring them to Europe each summer for a few weeks of adventure, discovery, and connection. Just imagine it - long summer days filled with laughter, curiosity, new foods, unfamiliar languages, and stories they’ll carry with them for the rest of their lives. We want to give them a taste of the wider world - something real and lasting.

For us, that’s a beautiful way of blending our dreams with reality - something that feels deeply authentic.

Of course, dreams don’t always unfold exactly the way we picture them. But if we stay open - if we’re willing to adapt and trust the process - life has a way of reshaping our dreams into something unexpected . . . and sometimes even more beautiful.

Once we get clear on what our dream life really looks like - what feels right deep in our bones - get ready. Because even when the dream seems simple, there’s almost always a leap of faith involved. No matter how much we plan or prepare, there’s no guarantee the life we’re reaching for will feel exactly the way we imagined. There’s risk. There’s uncertainty. And yes, it can be scary.

But here’s what I’ve come to believe: if our dream comes from that quiet, honest place within us - if it’s truly our heart speaking - then the risk is worth it. Even if things don’t go as planned. Even if we hit walls or have to pivot. I’d rather take the step and see a door close than spend my life staring at it, always wondering what might have been on the other side.

For me, following your heart feels a lot like that unforgettable scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Jones is standing at the edge of a massive, bottomless ravine. There’s no bridge in sight - just empty space in front of him. But the clue says he has to take a step forward in faith. Not faith in the religious sense, but faith in life . . . in his own instincts.

So, he lifts his foot and steps out into what looks like thin air - and only then, once he fully commits, does the hidden bridge reveal itself beneath him.

That’s exactly what chasing a dream feels like. You don’t get a guarantee. What you get is the courage to take the step anyway - and sometimes, if you’re lucky, a quiet kind of magic that shows up the moment you do.

If you’re standing at the edge of something new right now - if it feels uncertain or a little scary - just know you’re not alone. You’re in good company. Sometimes the path appears just in time. And even if it doesn’t, the leap itself can teach you something powerful. Either way, it’s always a step worth taking.