Adventure. Stories. Places. People.
Most people when I tell them what I have been up to for the last two years usually respond “wow, that’s so exciting, your life is such an adventure.” Then, they want to know the interesting stories I have to tell, and the places that I’ve been.
However; the biggest thing, is people.
People there, People here, people everywhere.
I think without a doubt, meeting people is one of the biggest benefits of almost anything you can do in life. I once said “I have also found that the world can be an incredible classroom, and its citizens the most profoundly knowledgeable teachers. “
And this, still holds true. It is people that are not only the most profoundly knowledgeable but generally the best teachers. I spent a few years taking Spanish class in high school with great teachers. But it was beidy and dariel that i played with every day, who were my greatest teachers. I’d learned about the south through stories in history books for years, but it wasn’t until i went to basic training and I meant young lads from Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and other southern states that I got an in depth look at least how some southerners think and live. I’d learned about agrarian societies not only from US history, but also from my dad’s many stories of him growing up, but it wasn’t until I went to the Amazon did I realize how powerful Life is connected to the land. Not just wild life, but human life. The land was their survival. The waters of the rain forest, the fish in that water, and the water that could potentially destroy their crops.
People always ask me what my biggest obstacle, or biggest challenge is, in going after your dreams, or just getting out of your comfort zone.
People.
Hands down.
No matter where you go, no matter what language they speak, no matter what skin color they are, nor where they are from, there are always going to be People who like you, people who are neutral, and people who want to see you fall.
One of the biggest challenges when you’re out in the field of dreams, is dealing with people you wouldn’t normally deal with if you had a choice. But most of life is decided by choices, but there are many things you have to deal with. This is the draw of reality tv shows. Think new “the hills” or old school “real world” or even the mega reality show “Big Brother”. In relationship, even with people you choose to be with, there will inevitably be conflict. And in that conflict, in that struggle and weaving of us learning how to live, adapt and survive with one another, there is often times room for a lot of relationships gone sour.
But sometimes, the hardest thing to deal with, is the people who you thought had your back.
Even back at home.
In fact, especially back home.
Whether it is brother or sisters, parents or aunts, best friend or ex-girlfriend, people you have been through thick and thin, hell and high water, mutually, you will find a way to disappoint one another. It happens, and it hurts. Personally, I could count on a few hands (and feet) the number of friendships and relationships I had with people that completely deteriorated over the course of a few years. Friendships, and not acquaintances mind you. Some are my fault, some are not, but generally things change and people change, and sometimes it’s hard to deal with that change.
Often times people want to be your friend, only when you have something to offer them. That, is a rule of economics. A little quid-pro-quo action going on. I give you this (time, energy, a shoulder to cry on), you give me that. You invest in people. That is my firm belief.
Without expecting anything in return.
And often times, that’s exactly what you’ll get.
Nothing.
When someone is going through a difficult time in their life, you go to bat for them, you support them, you stand by them, you listen to them, and you pray for them. You believe with them that things will get better. You know that you have a solid friend that will always be by your side.
But yet, sometimes, in your biggest crises’ they are nowhere to be found. You see, when they didn’t need what you had, what you offered them freely, they turn their back on you.
Not a full-betrayal per se, but a betrayal in what friendship is, what it is about, what it is supposed to mean.
One of my friends, studying abroad in South America said, that in general, people there are more loyal than they are here. I’ve noticed similar affects in other countries too.
The past few years of my life have been adventure-filled at times, sure. I have myriads of stories that could keep your interest for a long time. I’ve been to a lot of places.
Sure there are many people who have done and experienced a lot more than I have, but generally, most 19-year olds born in central pa, don’t often get a chance to see and experience much of the world. Some, have never flown before, a few I know, have never even left the state.
But in a road to your dreams, whatever that may be. Whether you’re training to be a medical doctor or an elementary school teacher. A football coach or a kiniesiologist. A mechanic or a musician and entertainer.
Dealing with people will be one of the biggest challenges you face. It’s hard to avoid, they’re everywhere. You will lose friends that you have given an arm and leg for. You will come across people who want to see you fail, and applaud when you do. You will feel betrayed at times, maybe even depressed or broken-hearted.
However you stop only for one thing. To rest, reflect and plan an attack. Mourning for the loss of friends and relationships maybe be unavoidable for most, but I urge you, do not mourn for the things you should have said or done. In this imperfect world, humans, perhaps, are the most outstanding example of everything wrong with this world.
But we are also an example of everything that can be.
