What do you need to live?

One thing I ADORE about traveling (among other things) is meeting other travelers. In my apartment building, 3 Japanese volunteers live upstairs. I have been hanging out with one of them, and the other night we went out for a drumming/open mic style evening at a local bar. She brought her guitar and harmonica and I brought my excited-ness to hear her play them!

Gomi & her project

She also brought her art project. She has been here for a year already and will be here another year, and she is making this great project. She has a big blank shirt she embroidered with the question "What do you need to live?" (in English and in Japanese).  She asks people to write down their answer and then embroiders that onto the shirt later.

First of all, I love the idea of having an art project for a trip. Am brainstorming about what I could do.

Second, I love her question. It's the kind of question you should be able to answer right away. The answer is whatever pops into your head first. There is no smart or silly response, it just is.

Another person's answer:
Real Food. Sharing the Love.
Active Connection with the Divine Spirit

Before I tell you mine, what is your answer? 

[An interesting thing she mentioned is that when she asks travelers, she gets answers like love, hope, God, peace...and when she asks, most locals say things like food, shelter, water. An interesting point about how privileged I and We are to be able to travel, to look for good experiences, rather than worrying about basic needs.]


Mine?

To be in Awe. 

There are so many great and wonderful people, things and ideas in the world. I like to feel the power of them, to feel blessed to experience something, to be in those moments where you are just amazed at how the world works or what it looks like and what it can create! Sunrises, sunsets, great friends, good food, warm breezes, giant mountains, expansive oceans, never ending forests, huge skies... I soak that stuff up!

So really, what is your answer! I want to know!