This post is a little different. It won’t be enjoyed in a few minutes at work. For this experience, you must take some deep breaths and clear your mind. The real experience is in the audio clip at the end of this post.
This is a little snipit of a random night in New Orleans. There’s a little local bar in the Marigny called MiMi’s, that epitomizes New Orleans. Worn down, grungy, musky, but full of energy as all walks of life come together for a drink. I had a few beers downstairs before climbing the stairs to uncover the muffled sounds above. I found a little ragtag brass and strings ensemble in the corner of the little second floor bar room. There were little tables scattered around the room with candles burning down, and tattooed couples two-steping in and around the band. The lights were dim, the spirits were high, and everyone drank and laughed another Monday night away.
Directions
- Clear your mind, and 6 minutes of your schedule.
- Put on headphones.
- Get comfortable.
- Press play, then close your eyes and drift.
New Orleans live music: MiMi’s in the Marigny
If that wasn’t enough, we later noticed and chatted with two actors sitting at the end of the bar, Tim Robbins and Peter Sarsgaard, who are filming a movie close to that location.
A theoretical room you will exist in for a moment.
I was having lunch today with a friend in Brooklyn, reflecting on the last 9 months of my life. While talking about the lessons, thoughts, ideas, and sensations of travel, I found myself really trying to describe what makes it all worth it. I was sitting across from her, broke, in need of a haircut, with no job, and all the other realities that come from quitting and rejoining society.
So I began to describe a theoretical way of gauging this worth which became “naked worth.”
Imagine you’re sitting in restaurant and suddenly, POOF! A bright flash, and everything disappears except people. Your table, chair, clothes, bags, and even your food disappears. Looking around, you notice that in fact all that’s left is some dull gray walls. As you look at the other people that were in the restaurant, you’re confused because now you can’t decipher the server, VIP guests, cook, or cleaner. You also can’t remember what you did for a living, any jargon, deadlines, or profession. That information is not important here, because money doesn’t exist here. All that had so easily defined you and everyone else is now gone, and it’s not coming back in this room.
Everyone begins to move around for a few awkward moments, and slowly the chatter begins. New sets of people begin forming and chatting about some really interesting stuff. There’s no stress, just talk. Unique conversation begin because now everyone’s worth to each other is what they share. Personalities, insights, ideas, and gestures begin creating new relationships with these random people, because they’re naked of everything money, status or job related and seen for their “naked worth.”
I think traveling is a great investment in one’s “naked worth,” because:
- You become a slightly better person to have on earth.
- You add a little more humanity in the world.
- You have a more patience, kindness, and perspective.
- You have more tales that expand and excite the people around you.
It doesn’t translate to being smarter, making more money, or being more interesting. It can easily be all or none of these. It’s more of a humanity fabric within. So long-term travel will certainly increase your “naked worth,” and when you’re standing naked amongst the other people, you will be different.
