"Not all who wander are lost".

I love this quote. I see it floating around social media a lot, usually implying some type of wanderlust attitude. It's a good interpretation. Although I love to travel, for me these words go deeper. Literally. They're about going beyond what meets the eye. Not all that you see is as you see it.

Here's the full poem for perspective;

We all have a story. Our stories are unique to our individual experiences. Some of us grew up in well to do homes with two supportive and loving parents. Some of us were raised in single parent homes, between two homes or perhaps by our grandparents. Some of us have dealt with tragic loss and sudden death. Some of us have survived the darkest parts of humanity, while others are constantly encountering the depths of despair.

Where we've been, what we've seen and what we've lived...none of it is immediately disclosed through appearance. Michelle Obama calls this unseen history and we all have it. Our unseen history is our story.

We live in a world where we are conditioned to judge and assume without taking unseen history into consideration. We know everything without knowing anything. We misjudge and misinterpret many aspects of life, especially other people's lives. But we're all born equal in importance and dignity (Thank you, Deacon Dan).

The next time you encounter this quote, I hope you take a moment to pause and truly look at the people around you. Maybe you're surrounded by pleasant people, maybe you're not. Either way, remember their unseen history still exists. Not all who wander are lost.

Xx Dee

My own image: #capitolhillseattle