The adventure begins very soon.
I can’t wait.
I generally get one of three reactions when I tell people about my plans. Some can’t imagine WHY I would do such a “crazy” thing. Others think it is a cool idea and wish they could do something similar. Most fall somewhere in between, thinking it is very cool but also thinking it is kind of crazy. I know I have explored the reasons before, and the reality is there are many. But as we get closer to actually starting, it seems those reasons are clarifying even for me. The many are merging into one, the true essence of what this adventure is about.
Before I bore you all with words though, I want to share a song that actually does a very good job of displaying my “why”. This is performed by a young prodigy who will someday (possible very soon) be a star. I have shared another of her songs before, but this one is the newest and … well … kind of says it all. Call it an my theme song.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNPHOGRpvZ4]
OK now the boring words.
As our world grows more and more “advanced”, it seems we drift further and further away from the basics. We lose ourselves to technology; to the love of things; to celebrity worship and placing value on gossip that entertains while ignoring any truth that makes us uncomfortable. In an age where information is available to so many with the simple statement or typing of a question, we seem to have lost the ability to distinguish between what is truly important and what simply PLEASES us. We are losing the ability to live WELL in our pursuit of the ability to live EASILY. And this often happens at the expense of those who do not have such a choice.
Modern culture is defined by addiction. Addiction to ease. Addiction to wealth and comfort. We would rather have someone or something else do for us … instead of doing for ourselves. To the point that we have often even lost the ability to even THINK for ourselves. Yet some call this progress. I too have been sucked into this addiction by the most insidious method … social networking. The ease obtaining information via digital media is both a blessing and a curse. For it most who have access to such technology become digital addicts. Even in areas where it is a struggle to just survive … everyone has their cell phone. For years we have been bombarded with spam for the senses, numbing us while at the same time frequently hiding that which we SHOULD know, that which we SHOULD care about. We are becoming less than human, while other suffer in the shadows.
Personally my soul has sickened from this addiction, and it is time for me to gain sense of what is truly important back. THAT is ultimately what this journey is about. To unplug. To get back to the basics. To relearn the value of life; the value of doing. To embrace the one thing that we all share … our humanity and its origins. It is an escape from pollution of the soul to visit the core. Lately I have been dreaming about the hike, to the point that I sleep as much as I can until I actually get to it. I am longing for the simplicity of simple day-to-day living, while at the same time embracing the joy of life itself. I am seeking to purge myself of the shadows anger that so-called “progressive” and “modern” society coats my soul with, and maybe in the process learn how to medicate against this digital addiction in the future. That, ultimately, is what this hike is about. Isn’t it ironic that I have to use the monster itself to make it happen. Life IS irony.
Note on progress:
Maytag and I both pretty much have all the equipment we need. My funds are drying up so such things as food for the trip are still kind of an issue, but it will happen. My Go Fund Me Campaign has not been all that fruitful, which is really no surprise since I am not a cute child dying of a disease, have not suffered from a major disaster, and have no celebrity whatsoever. But I do appreciate ALL the help that has been offered, even if it took the form of advice. I suspect the original dream of grand happenings from this adventure will probably fall short, but it will still be well worth the effort.
Next time I won’t be so gloomy folks! 🙂
