Croatia – Breaking Boundaries, Finding Freedom
At the top of Vidova Gora
The Story
Every single day in Croatia felt magical. The cobblestone streets, the sparkling Adriatic coastline, the rich history—it was all a feast for the senses. From charming seaside towns to medieval fortresses, Croatia left me in awe at every turn.
But there was one day that stood above the rest. Standing at the top of Vidova Gora, breathing in the sweeping view, the wind in my hair, and the deafening silence all around—it was a spiritual moment. I felt small and infinite at the same time. Something shifted in me up there.
Later that same day, I had another experience that brought a deep sense of freedom and liberation. For so long, I had placed limits on myself—mental walls, quiet fears, invisible boundaries. In Croatia, those barriers began to fall away.
The Reflection
Croatia wasn’t just beautiful—it was transformative. It was a reminder that the most powerful views are often reached by climbing, by stretching beyond what feels easy or comfortable. The cultural treasures were stunning—the history, the architecture, the food—but the real treasure was the freedom I found within myself.
As I wrote in my journal:
“Once again I find myself on the other side of an amazing adventure asking myself, ‘Did I really just DO all that?’ And once again I can find the answer definitively in the aches and pains in my legs and feet, the piles of dirty laundry, and the extreme fatigue in my entire body, but also in the lightness of my heart, the gratitude in my spirit, and the wonder and awe in my soul.”
Croatia reminded me that we live in an incredibly beautiful world, full of breathtaking wonders—and yet, also a fragile one. In the 1990s, this very region was torn apart by war, displacement, and violence. Back then, I barely paid attention. Today, standing in Croatia, I couldn’t help but feel humbled by my own ignorance then, and deeply grateful for the peace, resilience, and hope that now mark this land and its people.
The Lesson
Croatia taught me that freedom begins in the mind, but it’s also sustained by courage, history, and community. It’s about breaking self-imposed limits, yes—but it’s also about refusing to let the selfish or destructive choices of a few rob the rest of us of peace, connection, and beauty.
Beyond Travel
Croatia stirred something bigger in me: a longing for people everywhere—the quiet masses, as I wrote then—to stand arm in arm against the forces that divide us. To believe that unity, resilience, and beauty can prevail over destruction. If we can do that, perhaps the world will be more open, and more places once deemed “off limits” can become places of wonder and joy again.
One Year Later
Looking back now, Croatia still takes my breath away. Yes, the scenery was unforgettable, but it was the combination of history, culture, and especially the people that cemented it in my heart. A year later, I carry its lessons: to climb higher than I think I can, to hold onto gratitude even in fatigue, and to remember that beauty and resilience often rise from broken places.
A Question for You
What “mountaintop” moment in your life reminded you of your own strength? And how can you carry that courage into the world around you?
Next Stop
From mountaintops and medieval charm to storybook castles—next up, Germany.
