If Not Now, When?

Welcome to the Adventures of Kyle and Allie. Through this blog, we will be updating everyone back home about our journey in South Korea, and hopefully several other countries. It is our way of sharing our adventures with you since we can only fit maybe one or two people in our suitcases...Tom Carvalho, you have a spot reserved. 

Lately I have been spending a lot of time thinking about moving to Korea. Who I will miss (everyone), what I will miss (wearing shorts in February) and what I will be doing over there (having the time of my life!!!). I really cannot complain about anything. I am so lucky to be doing this- taking a year off to explore, moving to a different country, being immersed in culture and new lands, and starting a new adventure with my best friend. After answering the above question in my brain, a new set of questions arose.... When will I ever get to do this again? When will be the next time I can easily take a year off?

I was listening to some music and a song came on called "If not now, when?" by Incubus. Coincidentally, this happens to be one of my favorite bands, so I found it only fitting to have them make an appearance on my blog. But the words of that title really stuck with me. I had to research where this catchy, yet meaningful line came from. It is a quote from a man called Hillel the Elder, a Jewish scholar and sage who lived from 110 BCE to 10 CE. He was a philosopher of religion and man, and is most recognized by this quote...  

"If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And when I am for myself, what am 'I'? And if not now, when?" 

   

I thought to myself, this guy is totally right. I am creating my own life and journeys. My decisions are mine alone, and whatever happens outside of my own being is out of my control. So why hesitate on doing anything? If not now, when? This is the time to do this, and I am so lucky to be doing it. I cannot wait to start this journey. In two and a half weeks, I will be flying away on a plane. And when I return one year later, I will be a changed person and have 365 days worth of memories and stories to share with everyone. In the meantime, this blog will have to do.

I pose this question to everyone reading this...If not now, when? If there is something that you have been wanting to do, just do it. You only live once. Go climb a mountain, jump out of a plane, go up to the top of a building and see the world around you. You may not have another opportunity to do it. For the next year, this is what I will be doing....because if not now, when? Maybe never.

- Allie