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:

  1. Go to college/university
  2. Join military
  3. 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?”

instinct vagabond way
I see the view out my apartment window when I went on the National Student Exchange program and studied Parks and Recreation with an Outdoor Leadership focus for my final semester of college receiving a 4.0.
instinct vagabond way
This was what I got to experience on my off time while completing a year of national volunteer service and earning about a $5000 scholarship while serving in Americorps.
 instinct vagabond way

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.

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This is where I earned my A while studying abroad receiving all of my world history credits required to graduate university.
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Did you guess any right?Below, in the same order is where is the description of locations that have helped to shape my life.
Even if you’re not physically moving, is your mind moving you forward in new directions?
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instinct vagabond way
At an elevation of around 7000 feet Flagstaff, AZ, is an out door mecca with Mount Humphrey,12,633 feet, AZ’s highest peak in the background, was where I completed my last semester of university. I loved exploring Arizona and smelling the sweet breeze of the Ponderosa Pine.
instinct vagabond way
A short drive away from Denver, Colorado, the Rocky Mountains is home to moose, elk, deer and wolves. While serving an eleven month volunteer stint we worked on various conservation projects and went often to explore the Rockies.
This is the ancient Mayan site Tikal, located in Guatemala. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Tikal was one of the most powerful sites of the Mayan civilizations. I went to dozens of Mayan sites throughout Mexico, Guatemala and Belize earning all of my history credits.
instinct vagabond way

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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4 Responses to “Why We Must Follow our Instinct for living in this World

  • 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!

  • 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.