Preparing for A Trip

I am fond of traveling; be it by foot, on different modes of transport, or even just by using my imagination (what the heck! aka “daydreaming”). I like to go on trips not only because I get to visit different places, but I am more excited about the eventualities that come with every journey. I find it very enriching to be able to meet people from different walks of life and interact with them in various situations. I look forward to every passage, way before it begins; and I relish it, way beyond its end or closure. ;p

I would say that the preparation for a trip is crucial. As I went to and from provinces a lot, for the past two years, I devised my way of packing systematically! It was a process in itself. The first few trips were really frustrating. It was quite a burden to be carrying extra articles of clothing, or unused blankets/socks/slippers, when I had to carry them all the way to some remote barrio (read: a few hours of hiking in the mountains & crossing chest-deep rivers). It is usually by the hard way, where we learn. And learn I did. And so, the trick was to carry an extra piece of everything only (shirt, undergarment, etc.) beyond the number of days away from home…Simple?? Not quite.

As a consequence of packing ala’darlethy, I am required to pack light. But, I had difficulty fighting attachments, vanity, insecurity, obsessive-compulsive behavior every time. I am always tempted . I am beckoned by the urge to bring things, which I learned from experience, are not “necessary” (fan, books, CD player, etc.). Trivial questions pop in my mind:

“What if a storm comes and we get stranded in the barrio for several more days?”
“What if something unexpected comes up?”
“How about my companions, will they bring a mirror??” ;p
(Well, I actually witnessed a companion bring a hair dryer!)

In these occasions, I let my imagination reign and think of horrible possibilities. I compare myself with others. I prioritize self-comfort. I seem to anchor my security or safety on things. Then, my motives become more and more complicated. Then, my intentions become less clear. Before I realize it, I begin to lose my focus. At least for a while, I know I forget the purpose of my trip in the first place.

I go to different places in the Philippines, both urban & rural, to serve my Filipino brethren; particularly the underserved.

My task stems from the fact that God gave me the privilege of becoming a licensed physician.

In the final analysis, preparation for this task is not a material or temporal pursuit. More importantly, I’ve realized that I must check the condition of my heart before I leave for every trip. I should purify my motives and intentions, before I embark on this work. I should bear in mind that my security does not depend on the external gadgets I will bring. I could only prepare as much. Whatever circumstance I will face with every trip, I must be anchored on my Sure foundation. This alone would determine the outcome of my journey.

Preparing for a trip is more of an internal quest rather than external. To free oneself of internal clutter (frustrations, interests, issues) is the necessity, more than putting personal effects in a back pack.