Question Your Intentions

ever heard the expression; “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”?. It simply states that while our intentions might be good, and we think we are doing the right thing, we might be getting it all wrong...

Even before traveling, it is a good idea to ask yourself why you are embarking on this journey. Is it because you want to make a difference for other people? Have you always dreamt about travelling to the remote areas in an African country and think doing it by volunteering is safe way to do so? Or perhaps you are looking for something meaningful and challenging to do with your gap year? Either way, you should take a hard look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself the main motivation for travels.

Think about this also when sharing on social media. Ask yourself your intentions. “Who will see this, what am I trying to tell? Could my message be misunderstood and what will be the impact?” Always ask yourself why you are sharing what you are sharing. Are you the most relevant person in this setting? For what cause? Does this post first of all benefit you personally? Take your time and reflect on why you take photos or post something. And remember that good intentions, such as raising awareness of the issues you are confronting or the work that the organisation you work for does, perhaps getting more private donors through your social network, is not an excuse to disregard other people’s privacy.