It’s always easier to stay put.

Stay where it’s safe, warn people with authority. Avoid France, subways, mountains, the Middle East, parades, night clubs, movie theaters. . . on and on. Whatever the destination, it’s a guaranteed hotbed of danger.

Sure, this may feel like the End Times – or at least a lot of unnecessary death and destruction – threaten our world. As Beth Whitman writes on Wanderlust and Lipstick, the media overload “. . . makes you just want to pull the covers over your head.” And tempting as that sounds, no one’s going to read a postcard sent from Between My Sheets, USA.

So turn off the news channel. Remind yourself that, statistically, coconuts are more deadly than terrorism, and don’t stay put today.

May the following quotes help us face whatever fears are lurking in our luggage. . .

Stuff your eyes with wonder, he said, live as if you’d drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It’s more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories. – Ray Bradbury

What gives value to travel is fear. It is the fact that, at a certain moment, when we are so far from our own country. . . we are seized by a vague fear, and an instinctive desire to go back to the protection of old habits. . . this is why we should not say that we travel for pleasure. . . Travel, which is like a greater and a graver science, brings us back to ourselves. – Albert Camus

Fear — who cares? – Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

Don’t be afraid of being scared. To be afraid is a sign of common sense. Only complete idiots are not afraid of anything. – Carlos Ruiz Zafon

She had a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach, like when you’re swimming and you want to put your feet down on something solid, but the water’s deeper than you think and there’s nothing there. – Julia Gregson

“Ain’t many guys travel around together,” he mused. “I don’t know why. Maybe ever’body in the whole damn world is scared of each other.” – John Steinbeck, Of Mice And Men

Don’t nourish your fears more than you nourish your hopes. – Steve Maraboli

With a hint of good judgement, to fear nothing, not failure or suffering or even death, indicates that you value life the most. You live to the extreme; you push limits; you spend your time building legacies. – Criss Jami

Courage to me is doing something daring, no matter how afraid, insecure, intimidated, alone, unworthy, incapable, ridiculed, or whatever other paralyzing emotion you might feel. Courage is taking action. . . no matter what! So you’re afraid? Be afraid. Be scared silly to the point you’re trembling and nauseous, but do it anyway! – Richelle Goodrich

What quotes inspire you to overcome your travel fears? If you’re feeling thankful or ready to settle down, I’ve got quotes for you, too!