Backpacking Addict
For the last six months my friend Tracy’s been travelling South America. She often updates us with photos. I never look at them. That is until today and I went through her life in the last few months. And as I looked through them, I remembered what it was like to be so far away from civilization with everything you own in one backpack, the only connections you have to the world is the people right in front of you and your worries include staying safe and what to see next. And how the pain and joy of every day is so immediate, the frustrations so strong and the experiences heart-eye-soul expanding.
No matter what I do, it informs me to know that this alternative existence is only a plane ride away. That I could melt into the hot dessert or cold mountain, sink into a reef or dive with a waterfall and live in relative comfort for $20US a day. Which always informs me that there is no point in doing what one hates, be in a relationship that hurts you, hang out with people who do not inspire and make money for the sake of ownership as there is a lightness in having nothing but what you see and what you are doing.
Tracy is thinking of giving up her banking career to work in non-profit much like I decided to give up on the corporate world to make art and help along the way to the causes I wanted to. Because sometimes you realize how much happier one is by spending our time wisely as for every moment you are miserable you could actually be in some far off country making just enough and swimming with whale sharks instead.
That the only "excuse" to willingly exist in the over indulgent modern first world with all its destructive power (and perks) is that one is living an extraordinary fulfilled life that at least in part is somewhat worthy. Otherwise something else is out there.
Yan Sham-Shackleton Online 