> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://brilliantcrank.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # “The joy of life is in the contrast.” - URL: https://brilliantcrank.com/the-joy-of-life-is-in-the-contrast/ - Published: 2026-10-06T16:23:53.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-06T16:23:53.000Z - Author: Greg Storey While I appreciate the time we just spent on the road, I envy an old friend who recently finished a year of traveling abroad with her family. Sophie, her partner, and daughter visited thirty-two countries across six continents. Uf-da, that’s a lot of airline miles. More incredible, she started a blog and posted every day, starting with trip preparation and ending, four hundred-plus days later, on a thoughtful reflection. I applaud her stamina for publishing details from each day *with* photos. Even on the days she or the family were sick, an entry was posted. That’s not easy to do normally, let alone while traveling abroad. It was fun to check in from time to time. The last entry, [*Reflections from our year away*](https://shepler.family/2026/06/09/reflections-from-our-year-away/?ref=brilliantcrank.com), is the one that stands out, where she steps back and says what the year added up to. Perspective gained from a year among so many cultures, across the planet, far from home. Let’s start with her thought on contrasts in life. > The times on the trip that felt the best were when we had a jolt of change. For example, getting to Australia after months in Asia made me appreciate the ability to make small talk with strangers. Visiting Vietnam after being in Japan and Korea made me especially aware of its affordability. One place isn’t necessarily better than another, but being able to see the contrast between them led to little enlightenments for me. It’s like how food tastes better after a big workout, or how a day off feels better after working really, really hard. The joy of life is in the contrast. And here’s her take on traveling as an American during a time when that hasn’t felt so great. I’ve wondered how we are seen abroad these days, and I’m grateful to read Sophie’s experience and reflection. > I started the trip feeling embarrassed sharing that we were Americans. As time progressed, I noticed that no one was as down on America as we were. Most people were neutral, and plenty of others were excited to hear about the US and wished they could visit, let alone live and work there. As the trip progressed, we found ourselves slowly shifting from being critical of our home country to remembering all the things we loved about it. Every time we visited a new city or natural phenomenon I found myself comparing it to something back home: “these mountains feel like Colorado” “this beach town feels like Florida” “this desert feels like West Texas” and so on. No other country comes close to the natural beauty and geographical diversity of the US. > > There is also just something to be said for familiarity. Do we have a convoluted healthcare system? Yes. Is public transport in most cities trash? Also yes. We have broken systems, but they’re my broken systems, and at least I know how to navigate them. I came home with a new gratitude for all the things America does do right: the absurd variety at the grocery store, the friendly small talk, the ice, the air conditioning, and so on. “They’re my broken systems, and at least I know how to navigate them.” I love this statement because it’s a healthy way to think about our current civic conditions, and it applies to much more—work, family, and relationships. Nothing can or will be perfect (especially when it comes to government), and to pursue or want perfection is just another way to play whack-a-mole with a lot more stress and high blood pressure. Honestly, I just want to quote the entire post, but I don’t want to take away from your own reading experience. Do yourself a favor and read the entire post even if you have to save it for later. You don’t have to know Sophie, Nick, and Millie to share in their adventure and the solid list of takeaways, including one more that I have to share because it’s a reminder of how much I enjoy writing and what I’m missing when I don’t. > This blog was one of the biggest gifts I’ve ever given myself. It’s the first time I’ve ever felt like Carrie Bradshaw, which is saying a lot because I spent my 20s in NYC. I can’t believe I actually stuck with it, but I’m so glad I did. My biggest lessons were how much I enjoy writing, and how much the daily practice of doing something can take the pressure off. [Sophie](https://sophieshepherd.com/?ref=brilliantcrank.com), I’m thankful that you stuck with the project and delighted by what you and your family got from the experience. I know you’re glad to be home, and I’m glad you are safe and sound, but I do hope you’ll go on another adventure again. ![](https://brilliantcrank.com/content/images/2026/10/ontheroad.png)