I remember the exact moment I realized I had been living my entire life inside the box. All I knew before was black and white; I had no idea there was an entire world outside of my old comfort zone. There was life to be lived outside of the small, confined box I had spent so many years inside of. It was as if someone had handed me a giant paintbrush and showed me how to brush outside of the canvas. The possibilities were now endless. Suddenly, staying in the lines—conforming, sticking to the status quo—no longer appealed to me.

I had broken free.

I had arrived in Africa.

All of a sudden, I knew life on new terms, new colors, new smells. Exciting ways of approaching life were now at the forefront of my reality; there was no going back, not now, not ever. Welcome to Morocco—I am in Africa.

Destination: exotic, gritty, raw, glorious, scotching, magical Morocco. Full of textures, intoxicating sounds, potent smells, exotic vibrancy, and layered with depth of ancient wisdom and peaceful personalities. Here, there is a dedication to progress while accepting what is. It is all stirred together to create a gentle, chaotic madness.

Morocco has quickly become my new favorite place to explore possibilities as I embrace the unknown. Morocco is one of the most diverse countries in Africa, with high mountains, sweeping desert, rugged coastline, and the winding alleyways of ancient medina cities and souqs.

Here are powerful life lessons I’ve learned from my 30 days living in Morocco:

1. There’s an Opportunity in Everything.

It seems the entire culture is founded on an opportunistic approach to life. Everything, I mean EVERYTHING, is an opportunity. Taxi drivers trying to get more money, locals hoping to convince you to stay longer, do more, spend more, and buildings that need to be renovated, the Moroccans don’t see problems, they see opportunities. They embrace the process and look for the chance to get ahead. This is something we can all adapt by being more focused on the solution instead of the problem. Instead of focusing on what you don’t want, take on life like a Moroccan and look at everything as a chance to get ahead and advance yourself and life for the better. Not in a selfish me-over-you kind of way, but in a way that will advance your community and loved ones as well. Because when you go after what you want, you not only help yourself but all those around you.

Moroccans are not afraid of rejection. The more you ask for and go for, the more chances you’ll get more, so go for it. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you really want.

Lesson learned: Go for what you want, not just what you think you can get.

2. Embrace the Work in Progress.

In Rabat, Morocco, there is construction everywhere. There’s a lot of projects that have started, stopped, are in progress, and everything left undone. It seems like the progress is more rewarding than the outcome. The process of building, making, creating is essential for your well-being. We are always a work in progress as well. Instead of focusing so much on the destination or reaching your goal, embrace the work that needs to be done, for that is where the true magic happens.

Lesson Learned: There is joy in the journey, not just the destination.

3. When You Believe, Doors Will Open.

A lovely local Moroccan woman told me about the power that guides her: the love that is always within us. She said, “When you believe, doors will open.” When you believe in yourself, when you believe in your higher power, when you believe in life, things will be easier. This invisible force guides the culture and inspires each person to be kind and care for one another.

Lesson Learned: When you believe, all things are possible.

Planning a trip to Morocco? Here are must-see cities:

CHEFCHAOUEN

Condé Nast Traveler named Chefchaouen one of the top “50 Most Beautiful Cities in the World,” which meant I had to visit this famous little town. An artsy, blue-washed mountain village that feels like its own world. While tourism has definitely taken hold, the balance between ease and authenticity is just right. Tucked high in North Morocco’s Rif Mountains, the all-blue town of Chefchaouen is a calming town that offers a return to self. Everything in this city caters to weary travelers, inviting them to slow down and find peace within.*

The locals smile and offer eye contact, something I haven’t seen in many other Moroccan cities. The pace is gentle, balanced, and slow. Life in North Africa beats to its own drum, a simple saturation of embracing the moment and settling into the presence of what is. Chefchaouen is comfortable in its own skin; there are no false pretenses, no forced interactions, and it knows what it is: a laid-back hippy town with European flair and Mediterranean influence. Don’t try to push or make it anything it isn’t. Just allow the vibe to sink in, and you will quickly see that the beauty is much deeper than the surface.

People always ask why is the town all blue. The Jewish refugees from Europe who lived here during the 1930s first painted the city (either to symbolize heaven or as a mosquito repellent, depending on who you ask), and now the town is known as “The Blue Pearl.” All the walls are majestically painted deep blues, tones ranging from periwinkle to sky blue. The town still keeps the tradition alive: Each year, the houses and storefronts are washed with new coats of paint. After a three-hour train ride from Rabat to Fez then jumping on a four-hour bus ride to get to Chefchaouen, I am immediately welcomed by a calm sense of wonder. The town itself is a photographer’s dream. Everywhere I look I see opportunity to capture beauty. The blue walls feel calming.

It’s clear to me that what makes this town special and so beautiful is not its gorgeous outward appearance—yes that’s nice—but this is a mirror, simply reflecting the inner pulse of this city. It is the beauty that is reflected from within.

FEZ

According to Lonely Planet, some ten years ago, Fez boomed as a tourist destination. Money poured into the city from foreigners buying up everything from riads in the medina to new parks and fountains in the ville nouvelle. If you believed the travel and style pages of the Western media, Fez had become the new Marrakesh. Then the Arab Spring and similar events in other Muslim countries took their toll on tourism. Now, however, it seems that investment is on its way back. Fassis, though, know that their city is beyond the vagaries of tourism. This is an old and supremely self-confident city that has nothing to prove to anyone. Dynasties and booms have all come and gone in the city’s 1,200-year existence, and Fez will be around long after the next fashion has burned itself out.*

Fez is the second largest city of Morocco, with a population of 1.1 million (2014). Fez was the capitol city of modern Morocco until 1925. It is listed as a World Heritage Site, and is believed to be one of the world’s largest urban pedestrian zones (car-free areas). It is the home to the first university in the world. The city has been called the “Mecca of the West” and the “Athens of Africa.”

Before we talk of exotic souks, mint tea, glittering riads, camels, and little boys doing tricks on their donkeys, let’s discuss the one experience that all travelers who visit Fez must discover. According to every guidebook, blog post, article, and person I talked to, you are bound, unequivocally, to get lost. Not just “I’m not sure where I am” type of lost, but “holy crap, I feel uncomfortable, uneasy, and frustration turned pissed” type of lost. The kind that makes you wonder why you started. The best way to experience Fez is to dive straight in and embrace the journey and discovery what’s wait around every corner. You can hire a guide to help you manage the maze to end all mazes. But if there is one medina you see in all of Morocco, Fez is a must experience.

Feature image @wandershewrote

*Lonely Planet