Why We Must Follow our Instinct for living in this World
When I was a senior in high school sitting behind a desk, mulling over what degree I better pick to be successful, I had no idea about the kinds of opportunities that awaited me out there – in the world. As an adult who’s been through twenty plus years cumulatively of schooling, I go into High Schools to give talks about life, college and travelling.
As a high school senior I felt the path ahead, per what I imposed on myself based on my own interpretation of societal pressures, was quite simple. There were three options after graduating high school:
- Go to college/university
- Join military
- Live at home with mom and dad
Two of the three options held zero interest to me. There was only one choice: Go to university.
So I did.
And what a struggle it was. I filled in drop-out papers every semester then ripped them up. I applied for all sorts of cool jobs that I wanted to do in conservation work, get offered the job then stressed over declining the position for the goal of graduating college.
In the end it didn’t matter so much what my degree was in (I’ll tell you that later,) it was what I learned in the process. I learned to problem solve and see the world around me differently. I learned to ask questions and ask questions until I got an answer I felt was satisfactory. Above all I learned to follow my gut and that instinct isn’t some obscure notion belonging solely to wild animals hunting for their next meal. By following my gut in what I felt was the best course of action, I have been able to create a life I thrive in, as opposed to simply surviving in, punching the clock and waiting for the next small feed, or paycheck to get me by.
Although I didn’t quite get it in the moment, college ultimately helped form the way I look at the world. See if you can guess where the next four pictures are taken and ask yourself, “What do you see?”
One of the many places we got to adventure and explore while Chris and I enjoyed six days off in a row as our normal schedule while working with youth in a wilderness therapy program.
Did you guess any right?Below, in the same order is where is the description of locations that have helped to shape my life.
Odd shaped hoodoos are the iconic image forming Bryce Canyon National Park. Show casing years of erosion, walking the trails was like walking through a city of natures red towering skyscrapers.
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In three and half years, while attending three different universities, studying abroad to three different countries, I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude and a debt load I was able to pay off in under three years. Many other people went off chasing degrees for prestige and job security. I started out thinking that was what college was about. In the end, I chose to chase what energized me.And I’ve never looked back since.
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Nothing better than a good education, High School, College and or Life in general. Looks like you’ve been able to have a good dose of all. Good going and KEEP it going!
The best education: do something that really scares you.
Learning is by far one of the greatest goals we can works towards, and so many times people think it is only interpreted through the classroom, but we can learn so many other ways as you have demonstrated through your travels.
Indeed. There are just so many things to learn about in the world. I’m in constant amazement.