Being the sucker I am for seemingly 'cheap' buys, I've subscribed to the iPad edition of National Geographic and NatGeo Traveler. Don't get me wrong, I still love print - I'd rather read an actual book over a digital copy any day. But, the digital edition is soo fancy with videos, RSS feeds and animated stuff, it just made reading more fun haha
So anyway, they had this special feature on NatGeo's expedition team to Everest for the past couple of months. There were daily blog updates from the team members so you'll feel like you're part of the trek and going on the climb with them. This month, they had a closing entry from one of the expedition team members:
"Climbing Everest is not curing cancer. It is a narcissistic pursuit, not a noble one. But, there is grandeur in the endeavor. Because Everest is so high and so indifferent, it calls upon every mountaineer, at some point during the climb, to rise to his or her better self — that person inside us all who has unquestioned courage, who will sacrifice without doubt, who will commit without complaint, who will put life on the line. This is the answer to the inevitable question: Why? Because: The highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, expects of you, demands of you, to reach for the highest qualities inside yourself."
For some reason, this just resonated with me so much that it led me to think what my Everest is, or why we do ANYthing, for that matter. Yes, I'm turning existentialist here hahaha
The writer's right though - conquering something and living to tell the tale is a narcissistic exercise. There is bragging rights to be had in any pursuit you've set yourself to achieve: like an 'elite' group who dared and ventured out to do what they've always dreamed of doing.
Maybe because by default, people like living within the confines of their comfort zones. People are such control-freaks that even if there's no problem, they've already thought out a solution for whatever may arise. There's pensions, life insurance, health insurance, even insurance when you die. Nobody likes being confronted by the unknown - to be thrown in a situation that you know nothing of is stuff nightmares are made of.
But really, what's so bad about the unknown? If you don't know, then how do you know its 'bad'? It can turn out to be good. So yeah, there is a 50-50 chance of things going either way but isn't that the way of life? You never know what'll happen no matter how well you planned things anyway.
The critics will say, what I don't know can't hurt me and ignorance is bliss. I'm sorry if I don't subscribe to that.
But the thing is, the only way you'll ever really know if you can do it is when you actually try and do it. Yes, one can argue that if they're forced in that situation, then they have no choice but to do it, rise above it all, man's instinctual need to fight and survive.
There is merit in going out of your comfort zones every once in a while. If you stick to doing the same thing day in and day out, then you fall into danger of becoming predictable, automatic, boring, uninspired.
It doesn't have to be anything drastic or grand. I am not evangelizing that everyone should quit their day jobs and go after what they've always dreamed of doing. Of course we have to be rational and practical, but little victories can go far in stimulating new life in our humdrum lives:
- eating food you thought was disgusting and swore never to try - if it tastes as bad as you initially thought, then at least you confirmed you really hate it. you can stay clear of it forever and ever
- learning a new language just because - even if you don't get to speak it often, you learn something from it - like word origins, or similar words in English but can mean differently in another language. it also increases your vocabulary. plus its good brain exercise.
- beating your personal best time in running or whatever sport or game you're into - it gives you motivation to become better and better every time. you think of different ways to improve on your game. it improves your strategic thinking
- trying a new restaurant or cafe, or the same restaurant but a new dish - old habits and favorites can still be made into new experiences. its all about shaking things up a bit.
- taking a new route going home - you may discover a shorter way to get home. or find a new favorite shop or nook to hide when you're feeling anti-social and just want to hibernate
- picking up a new hobby like pottery - you can start with beginner's classes. if you find you're good at it, then carry on. if it bores you, then find the next new thing to learn
I dunno... maybe i get myself into things because i'm always thinking what do i have to lose, or what's the worst that could happen, or always wonder what will happen if i do this. and true enough, i fail maybe 80% of the time but it always makes for 100% interesting stories later on.
