You! With the Restless Gene! Let's Go!

      National Geographic defines the Restless Gene as "The compulsion to see what lies beyond that far ridge or that ocean - or this planet - ..."  Perhaps you think you don't have this gene. You may see yourself, not as a wayfarer, but a character in Our Town, Thornton Wilder's Grover's Corner where babies born there, grow up there, marry there, settle there, and die there.   On the other hand, you may have friends who just can't stay put.  So, is there something going on with our DNA that governs our desire to go or to stay?   Journalist David Dobbs was determined to find out why some people love to move as if they were carried along life's moving walkway so common in larger airports.  Building on research out of the University of California, Irvine, Dobbs found there was evidence that our DRD4-7R gene correlates with a winsome desire to "explore new places, ideas, foods, relationships,...; and generally embrace movement, change, and adventure."   Other scientists weigh in that the DRD4 gene is not solely responsible for our nomadic adventures;  probably several genes combined contribute to our urge to explore.

Wanderlust Proof

Regardless of who we think we are, we might have a touch of that exploration gene in us. It might not be planning that next overseas journey; instead, it could be as uncomplicated as trying a new restaurant once a week.  Many authors, poets, researchers, and songwriters have supposed that we have that earthbound spirit because their works result in that resounding theme.

For example, Augustine of Hippo, 354 AD wrote,  "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page."  We are turning the pages of this book as fast as we can.  

The Restless Gene may have played a role in Johnny "Appleseed" Chapman who traveled with purpose over 100,000 square miles in the Midwest in order to leave a legacy of a delicious dessert to eventual homesteaders.  And, he didn't just plant apple seeds!
Also, we know Dr. Seuss joyfully wrote "Congratulations!  Today is your day.  You're off to Great Places! You're off and away," in his book, Oh, The Places You Will Go.

The group, Building 429, writes about this Restless Gene in their recording,  "Where I Belong"
"All I know is I'm not home yet; this is not where I belong
Take this world and give me Jesus;
This is not where I belong."

Lastly, the Apostle, Paul, our favorite theologian, without shame, traveled with one purpose: to spread the gospel, and he did so from his conversion in 34 AD until his imprisonment 24 years later. On one of his trips during his second journey, he wrote this to the believers in Philippi, "But there is far more to life for us.  We're citizens of high heaven!  We're waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ."  (Philippians 3:20 - MSG)   Clearly, he refers to that last journey we will all take when we stand before the One who created our DNA, our DRD4-7R gene. The One who gave us His Word and asked us to explore the pages as fast as we could.  Finally, that will be the end of our earthbound spirit.  But please know, this is the journey that necessitates we make plans while we are still above ground.   What are your traveling plans!

Keep Looking Up!   And, thank you for reading our blog.
  J:m and L:nda