This past week, my friends shared photos from their wedding. My eyes got teary to see their happiness and think that I wasn't there to witness it. I had missed their wedding due to my own selfish choice to stay in Antarctica for the winter. Granted, the program didn't officially tell us that we'd be staying later (i.e. missing the wedding) until after the last plane had left, but I knew it was a possibility. My friends completely understand I was pursuing my dreams and don't hold a grudge. All of my people back home understand that. However, that doesn't mean that I don't miss them and want to experience life with them.
Continuing to travel, continuing to be selfish, may or may not cause damage to those relationships back home. The good ones should last. Just before I came to New Zealand, I saw a film from the Banff Film Festival, 20 Seconds of Joy, that talked about this. It is one of the best films I've seen in a while. It isn't just about basejumping. It's about fulfillment. "I need to do this because if I don't do it, I'm not a happy person" (Karina Hollekim in 20 Seconds of Joy).
Thursday, December 11, 2008
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Wow I haven't read that book in years, you may have inspired me to pick it up again. My thoughts are.... corporate america sucks ass and you need to live your outside work life to make you happy and sometimes it is also difficult to find that balance. Also, coming from a person who is trying to rid the bad and move on with the good. There is truly nothing like being sorrounded by truly good people - you know what i mean, the ones who are good deep in their soul, not just for show. I consider myself very lucky to have found some of those people. I also know that no matter where my life might take me they will be by my side no matter how long I am distant for. Maybe that is too heavy for an hour before the Pats game and I owe you a long email... go NZ frisbee champs
ReplyDeletecongrats on becoming a kiwi frisbee champion! :-)
ReplyDelete"those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
we'll be here waitin' for ya! ;-)
Relationships that fade with time or distance were not bright enough to begin with.
ReplyDeleteEven though our contact is rare darling, you still hold a place in my heart. The adventure is part of you, part of the package. I think that all of us who love you know that.
(...on a related note, I seem to have an old email address, drop me a line if you still have my addy.)
And keep up the adventure. Those of us who are too busy with 'life' to do all the fantastic things you are doing need you.