So what I was trying to say was, just because finding what you are good at and your purpose is awesome, doesn’t mean it will build a Hero skill.

Hero training (lets just say that involves travel for this example) to be ready to be a Hero, you end up doing what you are good at and finding your purpose as a side bonus.

Walking to get healthy and you end up being able to jump easily and higher than before as a side bonus.

The point was not to be able to jump higher or better, the point was to get healthy.

For a hero, the point was not to find what you are good at or finding your purpose, the point was to be able to be a hero when needed.

At least that was the explanation I was trying to express.

This is why I figured a solo aspect would be key in such activities. Which can be done without going far.

The non-travel suggestions you made are:

Like volunteering with the YMCA, helping a local farmer, getting in touch with local conservationists or parks to help with rehabilitation, or in the health sector in caring for the elderly or sick.

I have volunteered for local orgs; I have helped farmers; I have worked (professionally and as a volunteer, on campaigns and “on the ground” outdoors) for conservation efforts; I have not volunteered in the health sector, but I have worked with the sick in my Temple community.

I have enjoyed and benefited from these activities in many ways. Still, I can’t say that they forced me to minor crises or taught me how to handle crisis all on my own. In all these contexts, I had both (a) people around me to give me advice, answers or directions and (b) a way out. If I got fed up I could go home, I could quit. I had friends and colleagues around me as I did these things. People who understood me and who I could count on.

In other words, each of the activities you suggested failed to provide me with the immersive you-must-make-your-own-way experiences that travel has given me.

This is what all the examples and suggestions I’ve been given come down to. Just because something is awesome doesn’t mean it will build X skill.

It pleases me that you find the other examples astute. If you question the immersive, direct and dramatic experience, I’d suggest doing it yourself, but I hear your on some sort of crazy ass long adventure so it may not be in the cards – still might be able to do it along the way for brief periods. Another option would be to interview those who have volunteered in these sorts of jobs. Having done some of these things, I personally don’t question the possibility for immersive, direct and dramatic experience. Especially when working with large domestic animals, or aggressive/demanding people in service work. I also know a lot of people who swear by gaining much from simply gardening, especially when it involves community.

I find your other examples astute and likely to be of some use, but I question whether they really are as immersive, direct and dramatic in forcing one to develop these skills as non-resort traveling is.