Life is only now. How we spend our lives is minute to minute. What do we desire from it? A living reality or a conceptualized one?

We derive meaning from life from being present. But there are things that distract us. We’ve created and perpetuated a society where we self-identify through these things. Now the things I’ve lost, my important things, were more memories, thoughts, and words. But I was not diminished, nor lessened. I have the joy of being, of growing into the one that is this me in this moment. And unto the next.

I’ve been on many first dates, chatted with thousands of people, and lived with close to forty strangers drifting in and out of my life. I’ve encountered many diverse people as I’ve floated through a slue of different groups of friends, always open, listening, morphing. I have gotten to know so many people. The good, the bad, the strange, and the stranger. I listen to them, judgments subdued, engaging, all have awakened me in some way. Shifted my paradigm. I love them for that, and treasure every single experience.

Still. I desire more. I love being in flux, not ever knowing who I’ll become. Knowing that the next interaction I have, whether it be with a long-time friend or a new stranger, it will alter my path in ways I could never predict.

And this is why I’m leaving. A little green to travel, I’m looking for new connections, new ways to challenge myself, and to continue my journey of growth.

The goal is three significant trips, depending on time, life circumstances and, of course, money. First a quick sprint across the United States in January, a week-long quest to bring my friend back home to Pittsburgh. Then a month or two long solo adventure where I explore the US at my own pace where ever it may lead. Next up is a foreign excursion, perhaps Europe, South America, New Zealand… Then, permitted, near the end of the year, exploring a few Southern California cities in day or weekend-long trips.

“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars.”
― Jack Kerouac, On the Road

 

This entry refers to my Project 365 – Year-long projects that challenge my status quo