Nine to five, or roaming the world?

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On my trip to Tibet this time, I met a guy who was dressed in tattered clothes; the cold wind had cracked his ears, and his lips were chapped with white patches. We met at an inn; he told me that it took him two months to walk from Chengdu to Tibet. On slower days, I walk over 20 kilometers per day; on faster days, it can reach over 30 kilometers. 　　During those two months, he turned off his phone, removed his SIM card, shed all worldly distractions, and set out on a pilgrimage alone – with just two legs and a bag – heading into Tibet to experience the world between heaven and earth, and to understand the boundary between life and death. 　　Having been in Beijing for so long, I’ve met countless people who wanted to quit their jobs or drop out of school to go to Lhasa. And the guy I met on my journey is leading the life they envy – living freely and without any constraints. How many people are willing to one day become legends in this world of heroes? 　　I asked him, “Are you going on?” ”　　To my surprise, he said, “No.” ”　　“Why? ”　　““I have no money left…” This answer really shattered my worldview. Gentlemen of the martial arts world should not let a lack of money stop them from moving forward. Have you ever seen any master of martial arts worry about money? Suddenly, I understood that for true financial freedom to be achieved, the first step is to have financial independence. Otherwise, all freedom is a castle in the air. 　　This traveler is a small shop owner who sells mobile phones in Xiamen. Two years ago, he and two partners rented a shop to start a partnership business. Before he set off, it was the day his shop closed; the two partners began to scrounge for money and go from one place to another asking for help. He had some solutions at first, but a few days later his girlfriend left him for someone else; he collapsed completely and his life dropped to rock bottom. 　　The next day, he put his bag on his back, took a few thousand yuan with him, and went to Chengdu by train alone. I turned off the device, put my bag on, and began a two-month journey alone. On the day he turned on his phone, it was smashed by someone; relatives and friends thought he had gone missing and almost called the police. 　　I asked him, “Then why go back now?” ”　　He said, “Do what needs to be done, find a new girlfriend, and revive my career!” ”　　He spoke with great momentum, but I smiled and said, “It’s time to face what needs to be faced, right?” ”　　He nodded and said, “Along the way, I kept wondering where I should go. Now I understand that disappearing from my own circle will only worry those who care about me.” When there are problems, one should face them rather than constantly avoiding them. But I don’t regret it; when I have money, I’ll still walk this way. However, it won’t be like now where I can’t even afford food; I’ll be staying in five-star hotels all the way to Lhasa. ”　　I laughed – where could there be a five-star hotel by the side of this remote road on Highway 318? 　　Yet, how many people decide to leave that city and lead a life of wandering the world just because of setbacks in their love life? In the end, it turns out that many problems that should have been resolved still remain unresolved. The meaning of traveling lies in reflection, in being able to relax better, and in being able to start anew. 　　At an altitude of over 3,000 meters, I also met the owner of a youth hostel, a 24-year-old girl. She has been living on this Sichuan-Tibet route for four years, leading a life where there is no fog when the door is opened, with mountains all around. Her inn is home to all kinds of people, each with their own story. In short, she leads the life that others desire – that sense of peace and freedom, a rhythm that so many of us who work from 9 to 5 envy. 　　I asked her what she planned to do next, as so many people envy such a life. She said, “I’m going to the big city, then get married and have children.” ”　　I was surprised, so I said, “Have you ever, to some extent, envied those who have a 9-to-5 job?” ”　　She kept nodding, saying that there actually were. 　　I said, “Oh my God!” Do you know how many of us envy your life? ”　　“I know, that’s what everyone in the inn says to me every time. Do you know what I envy about you? You can choose to live here or there, but I don’t have the means to make such a choice. ”　　“Why? ”　　She said that this inn was left to her by her father, and it earns only a few thousand yuan per year. “If I could, I really hope to go to college, study, and earn some money; maybe I won’t be able to adapt to the hustle and bustle of a big city and will end up returning to where I started. But at least there are more choices in this life. Isn’t happiness simply the right to have more choices? ”　　In life, whether it’s a 9-to-5 routine or traveling the world, there’s nothing wrong with either. We long for a different way of living, but we simply hope to have more choices in our lives. Living a life of 9 to 5 work or constantly traveling around the world will both make life dull and uninteresting. The best life is to be strong enough to have the ability to switch between two lifestyles – when you feel like traveling, you can set off right away ； When I want to feel at peace, it’s a 9-to-5 job. 　　The work failed; traveling actually doesn’t solve the problem, because you still have to go back and face it again. Facing setbacks head-on is the best way. 　　So, don’t rush to envy others’ lives; first live well in your current life before striving for the state you desire. Tired from wandering, one can still return home ； Bored at home; leaving right away. Having the ability to change one’s life and a mindset that allows for adapting to life, you can either work from 9 to 5 or travel the world.