One of the main benefits of travel is the perspective that it can offer. Seeing places different than your own can shed light on what's great, and what's not so great, about where you call home. Even beyond that, travel can provide perspective on your life, both personal and professional, and remind you where you fit into the larger picture of the world.

I've been lucky to have the opportunity to visit many places that the 18-year-old version of me would have thought crazy. Recently, these trips have taken new meaning for me. I no longer leave only an empty apartment behind, but a wife and a larger-than-in-years-past number of people that depend on me professionally. Even with these increased incentives to stay home, I have to keep traveling. I need the perspective it gives me. I need to know that I'm not failing at my job.¹ I need to get away from Lafayette to recharge my creative batteries. I need to see that someone, somewhere respects what I'm doing and what I'm trying to do.

I suspect that traveling will only get more difficult as my family and work both expand. It's importance to me will increase proportionally.