I don't even want to start counting the number of hours I have spent the last couple of weeks (months) just standing on a sled pulled by 10 Alaskan Huskies driving through the Lappish forests, over rivers and lakes. Meeting a moose or some reindeer every now and then.
I always wonder, how people are able to basically do nothing for hours but stare at the landscape. No further stimulation, but -20-degree cold wind on your face, the sound of the sled softly sliding over snow and ice and the panting of the dogs.
It took me 3 weeks to let go of thoughts such as: What will I make for dinner? When will I be back? How long will it take, till my hands start freezing? And many many more...
But as I finally got to the place of accepting the present, I found a new high.
And yes, it's a HIGH. Everything around you goes blurry. You are highly focused because the smallest mistake can bring you and your team of dogs in a great danger.
But still, your thoughts start spinning...
Living up behind the artic circle has taught me new values.
Values that have and still are challenging my beliefs of LIFE and its purpose.
You earn money to live. Not live to make money.
Nature is the ultimate drug. And once you feel its power you try to spend every possible minute in it.
What is success, a degree, maybe even an empire if most of the stories we can tell are from sitting behind a computer? Aren't we made to feel more than that?
Why are we so hooked to social media? Is it because we want to feel things we can´t feel in our daily life anymore?
All this brought me to a question. Which I can't seem to find an answer to.
Is career the adventure of life or is life our career?
On my search for an answer, I have met a person who has a very different but particular vision.
He says: My goal is to live my dream. Not with 70 when I retire but all the way. I want to spend life exploring this world the different cultures, nature and people. I want my body and mind to experience the flora and fauna those places have to offer. For that I take jobs (for example working in the mine) they pay extremely well which gives me the chance to work for a few months and live my dream for the rest of the time. I want to buy property and ensure a passive income at some point. To ensure a life on the go. Rushing from one experience to the next.
Well yes, this sounds nice. But do I agree?
Why does a smart man not want to build something great and impactful?
His answer: A DECENT LIFESTYLE! With a decent lifestyle I mean: no unnecessary consumption, vegetarian, as little footprint on this world as possible. If more people would live like that, we would have solved a lot of problems. So why not start with myself.
So, is that the choice we need to make? Do we choose between: University - a high paycheck - the dream of the next career jump - maybe even our own business - 3 weeks a year getaways - and a daily routine OR a life on a sailing boat (or whatever makes you feel free) Working hard and maybe uninspired every now and then. But knowing you will be hiking the PCT in a few months with nothing to worry about but surviving the pain of the wild.
Nop... No answer in sight...
Is career the adventure of life or is life our career?
Did you already make a choice? If yes what made you choose? The passion for your job? Or the things you want to own? Is it a feeling you are addicted to which makes you want to feel it every single day?
I don't see myself in any of those versions of life. But I am certain there is a way to combine both worlds. Living the values we choose for ourselve.
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