Making It

I've had the privilege over the past few weeks of talking with a number of friends about dreams, goals and success.

For a good chunk of my life, the idea of success and "making it" has been shown to me as having money, things, and being financially independent. The more new stuff you've got, the closer to "arriving" I become. I get a smartphone, that's a step. I buy a car, step two. I move out and get my own place, step three. So forth and so on until...what?

Lately though, I've found that I don't agree much with that mentality. Yes, I have a smartphone and a car and yes, I wish to move out and get my own place one day. But in no way does this make me feel like I've done anything worthy of the title, "arriving" or the phrase, "making it". I've got my degree, I have a fairly (sometimes) respectable job, and I can pay off my student loans without feeling like my legs just got hacked off.

Still, none of this has made me feel like I've done something...I don't know. Something important. And importance is all based on opinion. To me, "important" in the grand scheme of things is actually rather minute. The important things in life are people, conversations, quality time. Money is temporal - it will decay and mold and disappear. It's the idea of, "You can replace x, but you can't replace a person."

Not so long ago, I write about the idea that Alan Watts offers regarding, "What would you do if money weren't an issue?"

Do you know how many of my friends want to do something nonprofit? Either in starting a nonprofit or joining one. It's alarming how many people I know that have a heart for doing something more than live. To give to others without necessarily being given something in return. That selfless nature is so inspiring.

That, to me, is important. Doing something for others with no expectation of getting something back. In this crazy, me-centric world we live in, I think the most important thing for us to do as people is to start acting like the caring, selfless beings we should be. Not could be. Should be.

I've got a question for you. Do the Liberty Mutual commercials about the "pay it forward" idea inspire you to be better? Do they make you want to do more good in the world? They probably do. Why do you think that is?

Personally, I think it's because that's how we're supposed to be. All the time. No matter who we're with or what we're doing. Take off the blinders and start looking at the millions around you. They have stories. They have lives and dreams and hopes. Have you learned about any of them?

On my next adventure, I'm gonna learn about the dream/goal/passion of a friend or coworker. Then I'm gonna pray for them. I hope you'll do the same.

Happy adventuring everyone.

Currently Editing: Genesis
Currently Listening to: "Touch the Sky" from the Brave soundtrack