In 1868, John Muir booked his first passage to California. As soon as he visited what is now Yosemite National Park, his quest to preserve nature for future generations was born. On 1 March, 1872, his efforts led to his first major accomplishment. That day, President Ulysses S. Grant signing into law the bill that established Yellowstone National Park as the first national park not just in the United States, but also the world.

The Father of the National Parks

Muir was nearly singlehandedly responsible for creating Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks in the 1890s. He also heavily influenced the creation of Mt. Rainier National Park (1899) and Grand Canyon National Park (1919). Unfortunately he didn’t live long enough to see it, but his actions led to the U.S. government establishing the National Parks Service in 1916. Today, you’ll see John Muir’s name all over parks, attractions, and nature preserves all over the western United States. In fact, there’s even an entire National Historic Site in California, as well as a peak in the High Sierra named after him.

One of the most famous John Muir quotes about nature states that ”I care to live only to entice people to look at Nature’s loveliness.” While we didn’t base our mission statement off of that quote, it echoes much of the same sentiment both our mission and vision statements do. John Muir’s quotes about nature have inspired us in so many ways. And we hope that they can help inspire you, too, to get out in nature, expand your horizons, and become a better global citizen.

1. On Life’s Paths

“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.

This quote encompasses my life in so many different ways. From hiking to my adventures on back country roads, scenic drives, and beyond, quite a few of the paths I’ve taken in life are dirt. As an escape from both the monotony and the stressors in life, those dirt paths are my happy place.

Additionally, don’t be afraid to break out of the stereotypical mold and live the life you want. Don’t stay on the paved road. Be adventuresome. Get out on the dirt and off the beaten path. You’ll be amazed at the places it can take you.

2. On Travel

“The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark.”

They say that once you’ve caught the travel bug it’s hard to let it go. In addition to his quotes about nature, John Muir had a deep passion for travel. Indeed, he managed to travel to all corners of the United States, from Miami to Barrow, Alaska, and from California to New York City. What’s even more impressive is that he did it long before cars and airplanes even existed. Instead, ship and rail were John Muir’s primary modes of transportation during the prime of his life in the late 1800’s. Regardless of what era you live in, travel is one of the best ways to step out of your comfort zone, experience new cultures, and expand your horizons.

3. On Reaching the Top

“Doubly happy, however, is the man to whom lofty mountain tops are within reach”

The Sierra Nevada mountains had a particularly special place in John Muir’s heart. With his deep love for the mountains, it’s no surprise that he said that you’re at your happiest when you’re near the top of tall mountains. And having climbed quite a few mountains over the years, Muir is 100% correct in this statement. But it goes deeper than standing on the summit of a mountain.

This John Muir quote is also a great metaphor for life. Regardless of whether you’re setting career goals, health goals, personal goals, or any other goal, set them to your highest aspirations. Like making an ascent up a tall mountain, these goals are not meant to be easy. Because you can start to taste it once you get close to the summit. And once you’re standing on top, it’s pure heaven.

4. On the National Parks

“This national beauty-hunger is made manifest…in our magnificent National Parks…Nature’s sublime wonderlands, the admiration and joy of the world.”

You don’t appreciate the true beauty and magnificence of the national parks until you step foot in them. As President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, ”There is nothing so American as our national parks. The fundamental idea behind the parks is that the country belongs to the people, that it is in process of making for the enrichment of the lives of all of us.” Stepping into a national park such as Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, or Grand Teton gives you that true feeling of American liberty and freedom.

But while the United States came up with the concept of the national parks, the magnificence of nature’s sublime wonderlands have spread far beyond the borders of the United States. From Patagonia’s Torres del Paine to Tanzania’s Serengeti to Thailand’s Khao Sok, you can admire nature’s most beautiful creations in national parks all over the world. Because if the National Parks don’t inspire you to get out in nature, I don’t know what will.

5. On Learning

“One day’s exposure to the mountains is better than a cartload of books.”

It wasn’t until I started traveling that I realized how important real-world experience is. While book learning is important, it’s nowhere near as enriching, fulfilling, and even defining as real-world experience. I got my first taste of it while storm chasing as a meteorology student at the University of Oklahoma. But it doesn’t really hit you until you have to watch an EF-5 tornado packing winds over 200 mph tear through one of the most densely-populated areas in the state. At its closest, the tornado passed less than 4 miles from my house.

Or how about living near the U.S.-Mexico border during the Trump presidency. I didn’t trust anything I heard on the news, so I went down to the border to see for myself what it was truly like. I wanted to see how the issue impacted life and opinions on both sides of the border. The experience was eye-opening.

The more you travel, the more you expose yourself to experiences like these. And that in turn drives you to travel for deeper reasons. It piques your interest about new cultures, exotic destinations, and a broader outlook on the world. Because we as a society have grown far too close-minded over the past decade. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and experience the world from a different point-of-view. While the experience may only be a brief fleeting moment in time, the lessons, on the other hand, last forever.

6. On The Universe

“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest of wilderness.”

If you’re feeling lost for any reason, heading out into nature is one of the best ways to get back on track. You’ll come back refreshed, reinvigorated, and re-motivated. Because often the best way to clear your mind from a forest of thoughts is to go pass through a literal forest of wilderness.

7. On New Beginnings

“Between every two pine trees is a doorway leading to a new way of life.”

This is one of my favorite John Muir quotes because getting out in nature has always been my escape during tough times. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it took the travel photography and nature adventures away from me. All of a sudden, I had no escape from the tough times. As a result, the lockdown made me re-prioritize and reconsider what I wanted my life to look like. So I decided to set off on this incredible next chapter to go off and explore the world.

The lesson here is that if you’re feeling lost or in need of a fresh start, head out into nature. It cleanses the soul, gives you a new perspective, and sows the seeds of new beginnings.

8. On Man

“God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods. But he cannot save them from fools.”

John Muir said this in 1897. However, I find this quote to be even more relevant in modern times, with the various climate crises we face today. Because humanity continues to prove time and time again, that we all seem to be fools. And unfortunately, we’re destroying the planet as a result.

9. On The Mountains

“The mountains are the foundations of men as well as of rivers, of glaciers, of fertile soil. The great poets, philosophers, prophets, able men whose thoughts and deeds have moved the world, have come down from the mountains – mountain dwellers who have grown strong there with the forest trees in Nature’s workshops.”

If you’ve ever been to the Sierra Nevadas, or any other majestic mountain range for that matter, this quote should instantly reverberate. The beauty of the mountains seems to provide that connection between you and some higher power. You just don’t get that same feeling in any other landscape. And when you look at photos like these, it just leaves you in awe of its incredible beauty.

10. On Imagination

“The power of imagination makes us infinite.”

No matter what line of work you’re in, don’t be afraid to be creative. In fact, you should embrace it. Think outside the box if you have to. It’s a great way to stimulate your brain. I find that when I get stuck on a problem, I’ll step away from it and do something creative. More often than not, when I come back to it, the solution comes right to me.

The best thing about creativity and imagination is that there are really no limits to what you can do with it. Indeed, people have made careers out of creativity that were unthinkable even just 10 years ago. So go embrace the power of imagination. You’ll be amazed where it can take you. For me, being able to combine the creativity in photography, video, and design, with my technical skills in math, data, and GIS, has allowed me to open some really unique doors and do a lot of things many other people haven’t. Where will your creativity and imagination take you?

Bonus: On Going into Nature

“And into the woods I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.”

There is something truly refreshing about going off into nature. The solace of the bright blue skies and the crisp wind blowing through the trees seems to reinvigorate you. Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your next project, or simply trying to escape the stressors of day-to-day life, head out into nature. It really does refresh the mind and cleanse the soul. And you’ll be in a much better state from it.

Conclusion

John Muir was one of the true pioneers of nature conservation, and his quotes about nature reflect his deep passion for the environment. His contributions to the national parks have reverberated not just throughout the United States, but around the world. Indeed, he was influential in the creation of the first national park in the world.

Establishing Yellowstone National Park sparked a massive nature conservation movement around the world in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Without John Muir’s efforts, the world’s national parks may not exist today. The next time you see John Muir quotes in a national park, or anywhere else out in nature, make sure you stop and appreciate everything he did that made today’s outdoor recreation opportunities possible.

Want to learn more about the national parks? Check out our new Matt Unmapped travel series. We’ll visit many national parks, not just throughout the United States, but around the world. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel, either.

Top Photo: Majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains Tower Over Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe, California – February, 2020

The post How to Cleanse Your Soul in Nature: 10 John Muir Quotes appeared first on Matthew Gove Blog.

While Saturday mornings are not the same since Tom passed and Ray retired, you can still find an endless supply of Car Talk archives, puzzlers, and more, on your favorite podcasting platform. So direct from the Law Offices of Dewey, Cheetham, and Howe, here are 10 powerful quotes from Tom and Ray Magliozzi, a.k.a. Click and Clack the Tappet Brothers, to inspire your next journey, regardless of what road life takes you down.

On Work

“Don’t be afraid of work. Make work afraid of you. I did such a fabulous job of making work afraid of me that it has avoided me my whole life so far.”

Don’t live to work. Instead, work to live. We all need a healthy work-life balance. Chasing my passion for travel, storytelling, and visual media has brought me to some amazing places over the years.

Find something you love to do, and chase that dream with everything you’ve got. And do you need inspiration? Give the Fuck-It Bucket a try. It changed my life. Alternatively, read up on how to turn the pandemic into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We only get one shot at this little game we call life. How will you make the most of yours?

On Money

“If money can fix it, it’s not a problem.”

I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve toed the line between cheap and frugal on more than one occasion. And I’ll be the first to admit that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed how I think about money. Life is far too short to worry about stupid little problems. Invest in yourself to quash the simple issues, so you can focus on the greater challenges you encounter on whatever journey you happen to be on. Which is a great segue into our next quote.

On Journeys

“If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.”

Channeling their inner Yogi Berra, Tom and Ray Magliozzi are dead right on this one. The pandemic left many of us, including myself, feeling adrift without a rudder or paddle. However, I’ll leave you with a little advice from personal experience. Once you figure out what you want your dream to look like, come up with a plan for how to get there. Then, put everything you’ve got into it. You may not take the most direct route, but any road will take you there.

On Being Young

“You will never have more energy, enthusiasm, hair, or brain cells than you have today.”

Enjoy the hell out of being young and enthusiastic. Find your passion. Chase your dreams. Support causes you believe in. Because once the responsibilities of adulthood start to bite, it can be really difficult to rekindle that flame underneath you. Trust me, it’s taken me more than two years to rekindle that flame after the pandemic made me seriously re-evaluate what I was doing with my life.

On Checking Items Off Your Bucket List

“Do it while you’re young. You may never have another chance to do anything this stupid again!”

We take a lot of things for granted when we’re young. But the truth is that it’s the best time to get out and check items off your bucket list. You have very few responsibilities, and much more flexibility. Because once you settle down and have jobs, families, and everything else to deal with, you bucket list can quickly look like a pipe dream.

On Happiness

“Happiness equals reality minus expectations.”

Have you every gone somewhere with high expectations and been utterly frustrated when it let you down? Today’s ultra-connected society is pretty much designed to set us up for disappointment. You may read about a cool destination on the internet or see your friends’ seemingly perfect lives on social media. Stop comparing yourself to others and trying to keep up with the Joneses. Because if you didn’t hear, the Joneses are broke.

We’re all on our own unique paths on the journey of life. Appreciate and cherish what you have, what you’ve accomplished, and what lies ahead in the future. Because when your expectations are lower, your happiness will be much higher.

On Extra Baggage

“If it falls off, it doesn’t matter.”

As we get older, we all have extra baggage we carry around. And sometimes, it can become too much to carry. At times, something may fall off. That’s perfectly fine. Because if you let it fall off, it probably wasn’t that important in the first place. Instead of going back to get it, continue to move on. Furthermore, look for additional baggage you can shed. Because the less you have to carry around with you, the happier you’ll be.

On Life’s Experiences

“Kids: Get away from cell phones, get away from the computers, and mail someone a fish before it’s too late.”

We spend far too much time observing the world through cell phone cameras, documenting our own journeys and adventures. But you know what? If you put down the camera, turn off the computer, and put away your phone, you’ll be able to experience a much deeper connection with wherever your journey or adventure takes you.

Disconnecting from the world is an incredibly liberating and fulfilling experience. It can even boost your mental health and happiness. And who knows? Maybe you’ll even find a new, fun activity to enjoy, like mailing someone a fish.

On Humbleness

“Our humility is what makes us great.”

In today’s self-centered, celebrity-obsessed world, be humble. Be kind to others, laugh at yourself, and expand your horizons. Becoming a global citizen will broaden your global perspective and allow you to bring fresh, new views back to your own community.

Storytelling through visual media is an incredibly powerful means to engage communities and raise awareness both at home and abroad. How do you want to be remembered? As humble and great, or as ego-centric and selfish?

On Learning Life’s Lessons

“How do you keep a mattress on the roof of your car from flying? Yeah, well I don’t know how many people know it, but a lot of people have learned that putting your arm up there to hold the mattress is not going to work.”

We’ve all done stupid things in our lives. Maybe more often than you’d care to admit. However, as long as you learn your lesson when you do something stupid and can avoid repeating the same mistake in the future, doing something really stupid is not entirely a bad thing. Stop fearing failure. Instead, embrace not just making mistakes, but also the opportunity to learn from them.

Conclusion

Car Talk fans know that Tom and Ray Magliozzi are much better known for their lousy marital advice than their inspirational quotes. However, behind all the humor, jokes, and laughter is a lot of inspiration. Regardless of what journey you’re on or where it’s taking you, let Click and Clack, the Tappett Brothers inspire your next adventure. It has certainly taken me to some amazing places. And always remember…don’t drive like my brother.

Top Photo: The Site of the Famous Forrest Gump Scene
Halchita, Utah – December, 2021

The post 10 Powerful Quotes from Tom and Ray Magliozzi to Inspire Your Next Journey appeared first on Matthew Gove Blog.

I hope these powerful and inspirational lyrics will help you escape to a white sandy beach, as well as inspire you to live your fullest life and change the world for the better as we emerge from the pandemic.

Be As You Are

I wanna play my guitar in the Caribbean sun
Hang out with the locals at the Quiet Moon
Where you can be a tourist, a beach bum, or a star
And be as you are
Be as you are

Kenny Chesney, Be As You Are

No matter the situation you’re in, always be yourself. Stop putting on an act to try to impress people or fit in. As a result, you’ll come across so much more authentic. Whether you’re in search of friends, followers, professional relationships, or anything else, there are plenty of people out there who will appreciate you for who you are. Stop the charades, and be as you are.

Live a Little

I need to live a little, have some fun
Take some time, waste it on number one
Find a girl that brings my whole world to a stop
Live a little, love a lot

Kenny Chesney, Live a Little

As the pandemic has dragged on endlessly, the powerful lyrics to Live a Little actually helped motivate me to start the next chapter in my life. More specifically, the last line was what really sealed it for me. After going through the shutdowns and lockdowns and directly experiencing all of the hate and divisiveness that the pandemic has wrought on us, that would be one of my primary goals for the next chapter: live a little, and love a lot.

Additionally, like the song says, don’t be afraid to take some time and waste it on number one. Investing in yourself is the best investment you’ll ever make, and it only makes you a better person in all facets of life. Go on that vacation to recharge your batteries. Take that course or learn that skill you’ve always wanted to. Start that business you’ve been dreaming of for years. If you’re not gonna do it now, when will you?

Bucket

I made a bucket list, changed the B to an F
Gave my give-a-damn the finger, so it got up and left
I quit worrying ’bout people’s expectations
And ordered up a six-pack of chillaxification

Kenny Chesney, Bucket

If you read this blog regularly, you likely recognize these powerful lyrics. Indeed, they are a core part of some of my philosophies that help me life the fullest life I can. For the best example, look no further than the Fuck-It Bucket. Get off the rat race and the hamster wheel. Start doing things you’re passionate about that light a fire under you and make you excited to get out of bed every morning. And who cares what other people think? As long as you’re happy and motivated, isn’t that really all that matters?

Happy Does

Happy is as happy does
Grab a 6 string, find a rope swing
Hang a palm tree in your truck
Drink a beer just because
Steal a slow dance in a rain storm
And a kiss from who you love
Laugh and live with a half full cup
Yeah, happy is as happy does

Kenny Chesney, Happy Does

Try to see the world with a “glass half-full” perspective. We’re exposed to an incredible amount of negative content every day. Not surprisingly, it’s so easy to see the negative in everything, especially in the pandemic era. Instead, find something that makes you happy, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. Then, experience it routinely, but especially when you’re feeling down. So you can live your life with a half-full cup. Because happy is as happy does.

It’s a Beautiful World

It’s a big old beautiful world out there
Sometimes you just gotta let it take you where
The roller coaster ride meets the tilt a whirl
It’s a big old beautiful world
La-da-da-da-da-da-da
It’s a big old beautiful world

Kenny Chesney, Beautiful World

When Chesney first debuted this song, he explained that he got the motivation to write the song sitting on the back of his boat in the middle of the night looking up at all the starts. It really hit him just how insignificant we can all feel at times. At the same time, he realized just how big and beautiful both the world and the universe are, and that we should strive to experience as much of it as possible.

When I heard his explanation, it immediately got me thinking about travel. Ironically the album this song is on was released in May, 2020, at the height of the COVID lockdowns, so the wanderlust hit particularly hard. But that only motivated me more to commit to seeing as much of the world as I can once things fully reopen. Because when we travel and broaden our horizons, we can better understand each other. And that makes the world a better place.

Rich and Miserable

We’re too young until we’re too old
We’re all lost on the yellow brick road
We climb the ladder, but the ladder just grows
We’re born, we work, we die, it’s spiritual
Enough is never enough
American Dream never wakes up
Too much is never too much
We won’t be happy ’til we’re rich and miserable

Kenny Chesney, Rich and Miserable

It’s easy to get sucked into chasing money as we advance in our careers. There’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, it’s to be expected. However, like all things, it becomes a problem when it becomes obsessive and greedy. Once you start down that path, nothing is ever good enough. You keep craving more. Money can’t buy happiness. You’ll just wind up rich and miserable.

Instead, get off the rat race and stop comparing yourself to other people. We all chart our own unique path through life. Be happy with what you have. Don’t buy things just to keep up with the Joneses. Because you know what? The Joneses are broke and heavily in debt. You’ll be in much better shape financially if you stick to appreciating what you have and reaching your life’s landmarks on the path and schedule you’ve chosen.

Life is Good

Life is good, the grass is green
The good Lord smilin’ on you and me
Gonna knock on wood
Sweet sunshine everywhere I look
You love me like no one could
Life is good

Kenny Chesney, Life is Good

Cherish and appreciate all the good things that happen to you every day, and kick all your negative thoughts to the curb. Next, let those feelings and appreciations grow. As a result, your happiness will become contagious and your outlook will swing to the positive. Take on that “glass half-full” attitude, and let the sweet sunshine shine everywhere you look. Embrace the grass being green, and life being good.

Don’t Blink

Don’t blink
Just like that
You’re six years old and you take a nap
And you wake up and you’re twenty-five
And your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don’t blink
You might just miss
Your babies growing up like mine did
Turning into moms and dads
Next thing you know
Your better half of fifty years is there in bed
And you’re praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend
A hundred years goes faster than you think
So don’t blink

Kenny Chesney, Don’t Blink

As I get older, the lyrics of this song seems to get more and more powerful. You look back and realize just how fast everything is going by. Being stuck at home during the pandemic made me realize just how much I want to go experience in the world, as well as how little of that I’ve actually accomplished.

As a result, you should focus on making the most of today. Cherish those experiences, and start checking items off your bucket list. Look forward to tomorrow, but worry about tomorrow when it comes. Most importantly, listen to the wisdom of your elders. Because the years certainly go by faster than you think. You don’t want to blink and miss them.

On the Coast of Somewhere Beautiful

On the coast of somewhere beautiful
Trade winds blown through her hair
Sunlight dancin’ on the water
And I wish I was there
Don’t know how I’m goin’ to find her
All I know so far
She’s on the coast of somewhere beautiful
Runnin’ with my heart

Kenny Chesney, On the Coast of Somewhere Beautiful

While this song is about missing a romantic interest, I always think about these lyrics when I’m out on a photo or video shoot and come across a spot that’s just breathtakingly beautiful. The second you see the scene, you instantly know that this is where you’ll get “The Shot.” Everything in the frame is composed absolutely perfectly.

Sunsets are how I best relate to the song. In fact, a few months ago, I was finally able to capture the full meaning and emotion of this song in just a single photograph.

My favorite part of sunset actually occurs after the sun sets. As the light fades into deep blues, purples, and reds in the western sky, it eventually becomes too dark to continue shooting. It’s not until you put down the camera and just soak in the environment that you feel that true connection with nature. Because these spectacular scenic scenes and landscapes are certainly on the coast of somewhere beautiful, running with my heart.

This is Our Moment

If you are in need of motivation to seize the moment and lay it all out to realize your dreams, this is the song for you.

This is our moment,
This is our time.
And we ain’t holdin’ back,
We’re laying it all on the line.
This is our destiny,
It’s our night to shine,
This is our moment,
This is our time.

Kenny Chesney

This song also heavily influenced the next chapter of my life. I’m one of those people who prefers to see setbacks as opportunities. And there was no bigger opportunity than the COVID-19 pandemic. I mean, how often does life let you take a complete mulligan and reset your life the way you want to live it?

Being able to hit the reset button on life has lit a fire under me like I’ve never experienced before. I can’t wait to get out of bed in the morning and go create, do, and experience amazing things. The future has never had more potential or been brighter. Whenever I feel that fire start to diminish, I just put this song on. Because it always reminds me that this is our destiny, and it’s our night to shine. This is both our moment and our time.

Conclusion

Kenny Chesney’s music has, and continues to greatly influence my life. Whether I need motivation, inspiration, an escape, or just a pick-me-up, he’s always had a song for me. As I look forward to this next chapter, I can’t wait to see how Chesney’s songs will continue to inspire not just my life path, but also my photography, videos, maps, and much more. How have Kenny Chesney’s songs influenced your life? Leave your stories in the comments below.

Top Photo: Turquoise Waters and White Sand Beaches at Lake Tahoe
Incline Village, Nevada – February, 2020

The post 10 Powerful Kenny Chesney Lyrics To Inspire and Motivate Your Next Adventure appeared first on Matthew Gove Blog.

Over the years, Yogi Berra also became well-known for his malapropisms and witticisms. These “Yogi-isms” offer not just humor, but also powerful wisdom and direct truth. Some of his most famous Yogi-isms include “it’s déjà vu all over again“, “you can observe a lot by watching“, and “a nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.”

I didn’t realize just how powerful these Yogi-isms were until I started to directly apply them to my life to inspire everything from my hobbies to my life philosophies to my career. Here are my ten favorite Yogi-isms, which I hope you can use for inspiration and motivation in your life, too.

“When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

One of my favorite inspirational quotes, this Yogi-ism is my go-to philosophy for travel. I love to discover and explore new places. Don’t be afraid to go down unknown paths for purposes of exploration. You never know what you’ll find. Some of the best photos I’ve ever taken were shot in places where I ventured off the beaten path and explored places I didn’t even know existed when I planned the trip.

Interestingly, the more I applied this philosophy to my travels and photography, the more I realized how well it applied to life in general. We all come to crossroads in life. Don’t be afraid to take a chance and try new things. You never know the amazing places it might take you. Inspirational quotes can only get you so far. As Michael Jordan once said, “You always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Give it a shot. If it doesn’t work out, the safer prong of that fork in the road will always be there for you to fall back on.

“If you don’t know where you’re going, you might wind up someplace else.”

I don’t think you can sum up the COVID-19 situation in the United States any better than this Yogi Berra quote. The US response to the pandemic has been fractured and fragmented from the get-go, which has resulted in the US being one of the hardest hit countries in the world, despite the incredible medical technologies we have right at our fingertips. Even today, anything that resembles a plan for ending the pandemic varies wildly, depending where in the US you are.

At the beginning of the summer, COVID-19 cases in the United States dropped to their lowest levels since the onset of the pandemic in March, 2020. Everyone assumed the pandemic was over, so the US lifted all of its COVID-19 restrictions without a worry in the world…or any kind of contingency plan should the virus re-emerge. Then the Delta variant hit, and at the snap of a finger, it set the pandemic response back by a year. The US certainly didn’t know where it was going at the beginning of the summer, and we’re now paying a big price and winding up somewhere else.

Which is a perfect segue into our next Yogi-ism…

“Make a game plan and stick to it. Unless it’s not working.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a cruel reminder for a lot of people that we need to be flexible and adaptable in our daily lives. A year and a half after our lives were upended in an instant, many of us are still stuck in the pandemic limbo. We all want our 2019 lives back, yet at the same time, we want to embrace the positive changes that have emerged from the pandemic and embrace new opportunities going forward.

The pandemic laid bare some pretty serious flaws in my business model, my values, and my life philosophy. Instead of drowning in all of the negativity surrounding the pandemic, I decided to use the COVID-19 lockdowns as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to set my future up the way I want it to be. I realized what was most important to me and revised my business model to give me more time to start checking items off my bucket list and realizing my dreams. At the same time, it both stabilizes and boosts my income. As a result, I have never been more excited to realize the incredible potential that the future holds, despite the hell we’ve all been through over the past 18 months.

At the end of the day, you should always be looking for ways you can improve both your skillset as well as yourself as a person. You’re in control of your own reactions. What will you do in the face of adversity and challenge?

“If you don’t set goals, you can’t regret not reaching them. Or like they say in golf, if you aim for nothing, you’ll hit it every time.”

I can’t emphasize the importance of setting SMART goals. In case you’ve forgotted, SMART stands for:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time-bound

Breaking large goals into small, manageable tasks lets you feel a sense of accomplishment, progress, and purpose. When you climb a mountain, you don’t try to climb it in one big step. You keep putting one foot in front of the other until you reach the summit. Small, manageable goals let you easily track your progress and quickly resolve any problems you may encounter along the way.

“I knew I was going to take the wrong train, so I left early.”

It’s not the most inspirational of quotes, but it’s solid life advice. Have you ever had an important meeting or appointment in an unfamiliar location? You’re constantly going over the directions for how to get there in your head, trying to figure out when you need to leave in order to get there on time.

When in doubt, leave early to ensure you arrive on time. Yes, it looks bad to arrive late, and arriving too early can make you look desperate. But just remember, you can always find a nearby park or coffee shop to hang out at while you wait for your appointment. It’s much less stressful to just walk down the street from that park or coffee shop than rushing around trying to find a place to park or wondering if you got on the correct train.

“Losing is a learning experience. It teaches you humility. It teaches you to work harder. It’s also a powerful motivator.”

It always sounds weird to say, but failure is our best teacher. We should be embracing failure and learning from it, not fearing it. Some of the most successful people initially failed, but then learned from their mistakes. I needn’t remind you that Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team, Albert Einstein’s teachers thought he was mentally handicapped, and Steve Jobs was once fired by Apple.

“It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.”

I don’t know about you, but I seem to need constant reminders to live in the present. It’s second nature to plan for future success, but far too often we get caught up in the future and forget about the present. This is another Yogi-ism that doesn’t seem like the most inspirational of quotes at face value, but it’s incredibly powerful when put into context. While it is important to plan for the future, we mustn’t lose sight of the present. Live for today today, and worry about tomorrow tomorrow.

“Laughter is the shock absorber that eases the blows of life.”

As someone who loves to laugh, I could write a whole post of inspirational quotes about how important it is to laugh. As the old adage says, laughter is the best medicine. Laughter is medically proven to be one of the best stress relievers. Legend has it that the Three Stooges would actually have a daily laugh, where they would just sit down together and just laugh for three to five minutes every day.

“If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane.”

Jimmy Buffett

But we can take the meaning of this Yogi-ism even deeper. The true therapeutics of laughter go far beyond just laughing. We must be able to laugh at ourselves when we do something stupid or when things go awry. Sure, there are always scenarios that are not funny at all, but more often than not, try to laugh at yourself when disaster strikes. Not only does it make you instantly feel better, but you’ll find that you can address the problem with much better reasoning and logic than if I was angry and frustrated. As a result, you’ll be able to resolve the problem and get back on track much quicker.

“It ain’t over till it’s over.”

As manager of the New York Mets, Berra said this in July, 1973. At the time, the Mets trailed the Chicago Cubs by 9.5 games in the National League East. Later that season, the Mets rallied to pass the Cubs and win both the division and the National League Pennant to reach the World Series. Even though the Mets ultimately lost the World Series to the Oakland Athletics in 7 games, this saying became of Berra’s most famous Yogi-isms. I still hear it routinely used today.

No matter how bleak things look, never, ever, ever give up. You never know when that one break will come that finally turns everything around. And if you do give up, just remember this. You always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

“Always go to other people’s funerals. Otherwise they won’t come to yours.”

Here in the United States, we live in an increasingly materialistic society. In turn, consumerism and the rat race has made us an incredibly selfish society. Modern technologies such as social media have only further compounded the problem. That’s just one reason in a very long list of reasons why I wholeheartedly reject the rat race and despise social media.

Always give before you receive. You may remember this lesson from your childhood when you went Christmas shopping. And don’t ever expect to receive, especially without giving first. That just makes you look selfish and entitled. If we all gave a little more and expected a little less, the world would be a much better place.

Conclusion

Yogi Berra’s quotes are just as powerful as they are inspirational. With a little wit and humor, Yogi-isms are short, to-the-point, and most importantly, easy to remember. When you hit a rut or are in need of a little motivation or inspiration, don’t hesitate to pull out a Yogi-ism to get back on track. Yogi-isms have certainly had a profound impact on my views and philosophies. How have they inspired you?

Top Photo: The Black River Cascades over Rocks in Queen Elizabeth II Provincial Park
Washago, Ontario, Canada – August, 2019

The post 10 Inspirational Yogi Berra Quotes to Motivate Your Life appeared first on Matthew Gove Blog.

Over time, I found these quotes were shaping more and more of my values and philosophies. Influences expanded far beyond the sports world to include musicians, artists, and leaders from all over the world. I’ve decided to start posting collections of these influential and inspirational quotes so you can get to know me a little better and hopefully find some inspiration yourself.

First up is someone who made a profound mark on me since the first time I watched his show. Tragically taken from us in 2018, Anthony Bourdain was a true gift to this world. Whenever I finish watching an episode of Parts Unknown, I want to do nothing more than get out, explore the world, and experience new cultures. You can find many of Anthony Bourdain’s influences in my photography mission and story. Here are 15 of Bourdain’s quotes that have had the greatest impact on me as a travel landscape photographer.

“Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life – and travel – leaves marks on you.”

Go back a little more than 10 years and I hated traveling. I had the completely wrong attitude towards it, seeing it as a chore instead of an experience. It was simply a way to get from Point A to Point B.

Storm chasing quickly changed that equation. It literally forces you to travel for an experience. It hooked me after I moved to Arizona and took my first solo adventure outside of the United States. I had traveled abroad before, but never alone.

Walking across the border from the US into Mexico is a unique experience. There are no customs checkpoints. You simply walk through a turnstile gate like you were walking into a stadium. Only this time when you come out the other side, you’re in a different country.

You step out on the street and your senses are instantly hit with foreign sights, smells, and sounds. At times, it’s almost a carnival-like atmosphere. My favorite part is the smell of street tacos that wafts through the air. When that smell hits you, you know you’re gonna be eating good that day.

Sensory overload is such an alluring feeling to me. It’s exotic and almost addicting, regardless of what country you’re visiting. Talk to the street vendors. Listen to their stories. Most importantly, buy something from them. You’ll have a trinket to remember the experience, and will help them support their families. Every time I visit Mexico, I leave the US Customs hall on my return trip already planning my next visit.

“The journey is part of the experience – an expression of the seriousness of one’s intent. One doesn’t take the A train to Mecca.”

This is just good life advice for anyone. Don’t focus on the start or the end points. Enjoy the ride getting there. You only get one shot at this crazy game of life. Why not make the most of it?

“Looking at these photographs, I know that I will never understand the world I live in or fully know the places I’ve been. I’ve learned for sure only what I don’t know – and how much I have to learn.”

As a photographer, all I can say is why tell you when I can just show you?

“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.”

This quote really hits home after driving across the United States near the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in February, 2021. I got snowed in for 2 weeks in close to 40 below wind chills in Oklahoma. Then spent the night camped out in my truck on the side of a mountain in Kentucky in the middle of an ice storm. The lessons from that trip are heartbreaking.

Interestingly, seeing firsthand the pain that a year of pandemic, disinformation, and bitter divisiveness had wrought on this country left its mark in the most unexpectedly positive way. It’s time to bring good back to the world. After taking time to reflect and figure out what my true dreams are, the trip solidified my values as a global citizen. It finally allowed me to fully define my mission and goals for both Matthew Gove Web Development and Matt Gove Photo.

You only get one legacy. What’s yours going to be?

“Big stuff and little: learning how to order breakfast in a country where I don’t speak the language and haven’t been before – that’s really satisfying to me. I like that.”

On my first overnight trip to Puerto Peñasco, I found myself unable to find the breakfast hall at the hotel I was staying at. It was about 6:30 in the morning, and at the time, I spoke very little Spanish. I looked around for hotel staff to ask, but at that hour of the morning, they were few and far between.

I eventually found one of the housekeepers, and asked her. She shrugged her shoulders and pointed at her ear, a telltale sign me she didn’t understand English. Time to think quick to see if I could come up with my questions in Spanish.

With the tiny bit of Spanish I knew at the time and a big assist from my fluency in French, I was able to come up with “¿Donde esta el desayuno?” as well as “¿A que hora esta abierto?“. She led me right to the breakfast hall, where I enjoyed a delicious breakfast of eggs and chorizo. I was so proud of myself.

It remains my goal to become fluent in Spanish. My Spanish skills have come a long way since that day, but I still have a ways to go before I reach full fluency.

“Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it’s a start.”

They say that you always find the best hidden gems in the places that you least expect them. In 2012, a buddy and I took a road trip through the southwest. I was living in Oklahoma at the time, and it was my first time seeing the southwest.

Towards the end of the trip, we drove across southeastern Utah from Capitol Reef National Park to the Four Corners. As breathtakingly beautiful as the scenery was, it was also eerily remote. We drove over 150 miles. Other than the road, we saw no evidence of any civilization. No buildings, no parks, no rest areas, no cell service, nothing. Shortly after dusk, we rolled into Blanding, Utah, a small town near the Four Corners, and checked into one of the only hotels in town.

After checking into the hotel, the clerk informed us that they had a deal with a barbecue restaurant next door so people staying at the hotel could get a discount on food. Since I am a big fan of barbecue, it was no-brainer where to go for dinner. And boy did it not disappoint. To this day, it remains some of the best barbecue I’ve ever had.

We actually liked it so much we went back in the morning and had steaks for breakfast.

“You learn a lot about someone when you share a meal together.”

One of my favorite things about eating street food on my trips to Mexico is the people you meet. From the workers prepping your food to other patrons eating with you, it seems there’s always someone interesting to talk to.

Being a global citizen means getting involved as members of the international community and committing yourself to building on this community in a meaningful and positive way. I fondly remember a conversation with a candy vendor as we both ate lunch on the back deck of a waterfront seafood restaurant in Puerto Peñasco. It was a sweltering August afternoon, so everyone else sat inside in the air conditioning. Like most conversations with the locals down there, it was half in English and half in Spanish. It’s part of the unique charm I love about adventuring south of the border.

Open yourself up. Listen to their story. Try to understand where they’re coming from. And tell yours. You’ll be a better person, and the world will be a better place when we can better understand each other.

“I’ve seen zero evidence of any nation on Earth other than Mexico even remotely having the slightest clue what Mexican food is about or even come close to reproducing it. It is probably the most misunderstood country and cuisine on Earth.”

I thought I knew what Mexican food was. Then I started traveling to Mexico. Since then, pretty much every Mexican restaurant I’ve eaten at outside of Mexico just isn’t the same. There are certainly exceptions to that rule, but I found almost all of those eateries in either Texas or Arizona. Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican food are two very different things.

“I don’t have to agree with you to like you or respect you.”

In today’s world of disinformation, it doesn’t take much. Present your view and back it up with facts and sensible logic, and you’ll get my respect. Regardless of whether or not I agree with you.

“I am not afraid to look like an idiot.”

People’s obsession with what others think of them has baffled and bewildered me for decades. Sure, we all want to look good. But if it takes looking like an idiot to be comfortable or have a good time, so be it.

“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.”

Immerse yourself in new experiences and new cultures. Become a member of a community, and commit to build on that community in a meaningful and positive way. Broaden your perspective through travel and bring back fresh, new views to your own community. And encourage others to do the same thing. You’ll all be better for it.

“Don’t lie about it. You made a mistake. Admit it and move on. Just don’t do it again. Ever.”

We’re all human. We all make mistakes. When you screw up, just admit it. People appreciate honestly a lot more than BS. And they’ll respect you more for it, too.

“Avoid at all costs that vile spew you see rotting in oil in screw top jars. Too lazy to peel fresh? You don’t deserve to eat garlic.”

There’s no such thing as too much garlic. I put it in everything. And as someone who has cooked with and eaten both the spew rotting in oil in screw top jars as well as the fresh, Bourdain is right. If you’re too lazy to peel fresh, you don’t deserve to eat garlic.

“If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean or simply across the river. Walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food. It’s a plus for everybody.”

I grew up in Massachusetts, went to school in Florida, went back to school in Oklahoma, and now live in Arizona. I’ve lived in many different parts of the US and have traveled to even more corners of it. Those experiences set me on the road to being a global citizen and played a major role in shaping my views and values. I truly believe that I would not be in the position I am in today to go travel and see the world if I hadn’t moved around so much.

Far too many people remain far too narrow-minded today. Open your mind to new experiences. Go out and try new things. You’ll be amazed at what you discover about yourself.

“Do we really want to travel in hermetically sealed popemobiles through the rural provinces of France, Mexico, and the Far East, eating only in Hard Rock Cafes and McDonald’s? Or do we want to eat without fear, tearing into the local stew, the humble taqueria’s mystery meat, the sincerely offered gift of a lightly grilled fish head?”

I am a firm believer that when you travel, you should completely immerse yourself the local culture. There’s one particular episode of Parts Unknown that stands out to me. Bourdain traveled to Chaing Mai, Thailand, and met up with a friend at a local restaurant to try some of the regional cuisine.

The general rule with food in Thailand is that it gets more exotic the further north you get. Some of the foods they tried in Chiang Mai sounded absolutely disgusting, but Bourdain said it was one of the most delicious and satisfying meals he ever had.

The lesson here is simple. Try the food. Speak the language. Participate in the local pastimes. You’ll have a much richer experience and can bring those new perspectives back to your own community. Save the McDonald’s for when you’re home.

Conclusion

The most valuable returns on the investment of travel are the experiences you have, the perspectives you gain, and the stories you can share with your community at home. Photography is an incredibly powerful means to engage communities and raise awareness both at home and abroad.

As you can tell from the quotes, Anthony Bourdain had major influences in my global perspectives and philosophy as a travel landscape photographer and as a global citizen. Unfortunately, I don’t think we’ll ever fully appreciate just how true of a gift he was to this world.

That is why we travel. Where will your next adventure take you?

Top Photo: Fannette Island and Emerald Bay
South Lake Tahoe, California – Feburary, 2020

The post 15 Powerful Anthony Bourdain Quotes That Inspire My Travel Photography appeared first on Matthew Gove Blog.