The Tolkien quote "Not all who wander are lost" has always resonated with me. In today's culture, there's this incredible focus on the idea of planning every aspect of your life out. In high school, we're expected to choose a college which will in turn decide our future careers. I chose a college, but learned that I was much too young to understand what I wanted to do or accomplish in my lifetime. I get asked fairly frequently when I plan on returning to school, or what I want to do with my life. But I'm content with fluttering between jobs that interest me and constantly moving around the country. I wouldn't trade the experiences I've had for anything. I may be wandering, but I'm sure as hell not lost.
I disagree, but only slightly. To play devil's advocate, the argument could be made that there needs to be a balance of practicality to following your passions. Sure, doing what you love and traveling the world is what everyone wants to do - but IMHO the reality is that the bitterness of practicality is vital to truly appreciate the sweet things of life.
I definitely understand what you're saying. I wasn't as clear as I could have been. In the long term, I'll settle and plan everything out meticulously and build a life instead of just experiencing one. In the present, I'm just trying anything and everything, just because I can. I'm not saying that had I followed a standard path I would have been unable to do some of the things I've done, but it would have been necessary to divide my attention. But as you said, you need the bad to appreciate the good. I used to just lounge around for days and not get anything done. Now with a steady job, my free time is much more enjoyable. Balance is the key to everything.
If I'm being honest, I might be too practical at this point in my life. I'm in my early to mid 20s. Just finished undergrad. I had friends in high school who took two weeks and backpacked through Europe. Friends in college who studied abroad. Really wanted to do those things...but never had the funds. I guess I'm trying to set myself up now to be successful so that I might enjoy these things later on my own time. But the future will never be the present.
I was the practical one and now I'm the one that is able to travel. I am going to Scotland in March and we are planning a trip to Germany in 2013 too. I'm sure that backpacking would have been sweet, but europe's not going anywhere. Nothing wrong with being practical. Just enjoy the journey no matter what point of life you're at. It's the journey.I had friends in high school who took two weeks and backpacked through Europe. Friends in college who studied abroad. Really wanted to do those things...but never had the funds.
My two best friends backpacked all summer in europe after we graduated HS. I was supposed to join them but my parents couldn't afford it. I tried to save the money, but that's a lot of scratch for a kid to come up with.
That's my hope too. My family is originally Sicilian, but I've never even been across the Atlantic. Would love to do some traveling one day, but not necessarily just Europe. I read a book years ago called Shantaraam by Gregory David Roberts, and ever since it's made me want to experience Mumbai.I was the practical one and now I'm the one that is able to travel.
Make it happen. Mumbai seems like such a fascinating place. Reminds me of Vegas on steroids.
Sounds like we're on opposing sides of the spectrum, because I could use a bit more practicality in my own life. Haha. My only advice would be to just never lose sight of the things you want to accomplish. Put them off for too long, and before you know it, it will end up being too late. I've seen it happen way too many times.
I get a lot of talk from friends and family that I am too happy go lucky and that I don't plan or take charge of my future enough. But the truth is that I prefer not to worry too much about something that is not within my immediate 3 to 6 month future. I also like that Tolkien quote because to me it means that I can sometimes play a passive passenger role in my life but still head in an intended direction.
This is one of my favorite quotes for pretty much the same reason. In high school, everyone had my life planned out for me and the question was always "What college?" instead of "Do you plan on going to college?" It seems like a pathetic thing to complain about, but I value choice and personal experience above most other things. I'm in my mid twenties and kids I used to tutor are off to med school and graduating, but I'm still only 30 credits into college... However, I feel that the experiences and jobs I've gone through -- everything from pizza delivery to tech support for the government to sign flipping have given me an incredible edge. I get every job I walk into just on my ability to sell myself to an interviewer, and I also know that my current major is what I want to do. I'll never have to wonder what-if, and I think that makes all the difference.