Author Archives: Steven

Don’t be Such a Chickenshit

14 May 2012

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Sound familiar?

“I can’t do that because I can’t afford it.”

Or, “I’ve got bills to pay.”

And, “I need a place to live…and food to eat. Those things aren’t free!”

Oh, the excuses we make. The truth is, these aren’t the things that are holding you back.

Not really.

Making excuses is just our way of protecting ourselves from the unfamiliar. The reason your life isn’t how you want it to be has nothing to do with any of the excuses you’ve been telling yourself about why it’s not. The reason you aren’t doing what you want with your life is because you’re afraid. And as long as you have a reason why you can’t do something, there’s no need to face your fears.

You’re a chickenshit.

It’s scary to take risks. What if you fail? What will you do if you try something and it doesn’t work out?

Doing what you want, as opposed to what you’ve been told (either directly or indirectly), is difficult. It’s scary. People will think you’re crazy, and they’ll do everything they can to “bring you back to your senses.” They’ll tell you to be “practical.” Do you want to be perfectly ordinary like those people who want to bring you back to “reality?” I didn’t think so. To hell with those people! Surround yourself with people who lift you up, and who will support you and your dreams.

Whatever the excuse you’ve been using to keep yourself from living the life you desire, defeat it. Overcome the obstacles you’ve created in your life, and start plotting, planning, and scheming…always be looking for ways to accomplish your goals. The world is a beautiful and magical place, not dangerous and scary like the TV wants you to believe. Sure, bad shit happens. But I’ve noticed that when I turn the TV off, a lot of good shit happens.

Step out of your comfort zone. Get dirty. Look like a fool. Make mistakes.

A while ago I was struggling with my decision to join the Peace Corps. I was trying to rationalize why it’d be best for me to stay. What I should’ve said was, “Hey everyone! I’m afraid! Terrified, actually…” because that’s exactly what it was all about. I’ve wanted to join the Peace Corps for years, but that means my life, my happy little (read: comfortable) life, is going to be flipped upside down, and nothing will ever be the same. That’s pretty fucking scary.

But life’s not always going to be easy, and at times things are going to be scary. If I’m not able to confront those fears and destroy them, I’m going to end up mediocre…extraordinarily ordinary. That’s not what I want with my life. I wouldn’t be happy shuffling papers all day for a paycheck. That’s not who I am, and I don’t think that’s who most people are.

I believe most people, if they felt like they had the option, would chase after their dreams. But we’re locked into our lives, and feel like there’s no escape. And it doesn’t help that society does everything in its power to keep people in their place. There’s a certain protocol that we must follow. And if we don’t, all hell will break loose.

Or so we think.

If you’re looking for a way out, the key to the cage is inside of you. You’re the one who built the cage. Anything that’s holding you back is within your power to change.

Change it.

Where Do Our Dreams Go?

7 May 2012

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Do you remember when you were younger, and filled with wild ambitions?

Maybe you thought you’d climb Mount Everest, or find the cure for cancer. When you grew up, it was your dream to become a fashion designer for Hollywood celebrities. As time passed and you got a little older, those dreams slowly began fading away. At the time, you probably didn’t even notice. Now, the reality  in which you find yourself is far from what you’d envisioned as a child.

The dreams are dead.

Still, some days we catch ourselves daydreaming about what might have been…if only we had done something different. If only we’d done something else. Something better. If only we’d have chased our dreams. Who knows what might have been. The sky was the limit.

Today we’re working at jobs we hate to pay for shit we don’t really want. We hate don’t like our boss, and our co-workers annoy us. Our jobs are so simple a monkey should be doing them. “Did I really go to college for this?” you ask yourself as you sip your cup of luke-warm coffee, thinking about that better life we could’ve had. If only…

It doesn’t take long before you’re reminded why you’re still shuffling your feet through the door of your miserable job. There are student loans, car loans, mortgages, and credit cards to pay. Not only do we have all of this debt to pay for, we also have to keep up with the Joneses. Expensive vacations to exotic locations, fancy clothes, and dinners at the finest restaurants.

This is why we continue to force ourselves through another workweek, feeling like slaves to our employer…to a paycheck. But the reality is that we’re slaves to no one other than ourselves. We’re the ones who built the walls of debt that imprison us, and we’re the ones who are shoveling the ground out from beneath our feet as we continue spending.

It’s no wonder our goals seem so far away. So distant. So impossible.

If you’re looking for something more from life than what you have today, you have the power to make it happen. You decide what the future will be. It will take hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. If you want the freedom to chase your dreams, you’ll have to change your life in profound ways.

If you use debt as an excuse for why you can’t do something, eliminate it. If you don’t think you’re smart enough, educate yourself. Maybe you want to climb a mountain but aren’t in any condition to do so. Get your ass to the gym and start getting in shape. Whatever your excuse, stop letting it get in the way of your dreams and your success.

If we don’t take matters into our own hands to do everything we can to make our lives the way we want them to be, things will never change. It will never get any better. There will always be exceptions to the rules, those who get lucky, but why rely on luck when you already have the ability to change your life?

You have to decide what you want more, the life you have now or the life you’ve always dreamt of having. Even though it may feel like you’re against insurmountable odds, with enough hard work and determination you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

Live the dream.

Preparing for a Successful Adventure

6 May 2012

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Most Bucket Lists are filled with adventure.

Rock climbing, hiking mountains, and running marathons are all common goals. And while these goals will make your list sexy, actually doing them can be intimidating. Often these kinds of goals require us to step outside of our comfort zones, and push the boundaries of what we thought possible, both physically and mentally. But don’t despair! Whether your adventure is climbing Mount Rainier in the dead of winter or backpacking across Southeast Asia, these tips will help make your journey a succesful one.

Get educated. There’s nothing worse than being ill-prepared. Trust me, I’ve found myself in some pretty bad situations. Nature is indifferent to your joy, comfort, distress, and pain. It’s critical that you plan accordingly. The first step of any successful adventure is research. You need to know what to expect. Study maps of the areas where you’ll be traveling, read blogs from others who’ve done what you’re planning to do, and find a good book on the subject (and read the reviews of the book on Amazon, they’re always filled with excellent advice and information.)

Have the right gear. When you’re buying gear, you’ll have to make trade-offs. Many of the questions you have to ask yourself (and answer) will depend on your personal preferences. Is comfort more important than weight? Is the added cost of something worth the extra features? Knowing the limitations of your gear and whether it’s suitable for the elements you might encounter are also things you’ll need to consider. Again, do your research.

Click here for a printable Backpacking Checklist from REI

Know your gear. Don’t wait until you’re on the trail just moments before sunset to figure out how to set up your tent. Spend a weekend doing a trial run at a state park to familiarize yourself with how to properly use all of your gear. Read the product information to learn how to troubleshoot in case you encounter problems on the trail.

Travel light. Less is more. Don’t bring a bunch of shit things you don’t need and won’t use. Going on an adventure is a chance to leave it all behind. The less you have to carry, the better your experience will be. Don’t drag it all with you. Leave everything but the essentials at home. You don’t need 60 pounds of gear.

Know your limits. And the limitations of everyone in your party. Don’t overestimate your ability, and be sure to condition yourself before striking out on the trail. When you’re training, do your best to simulate the types of environments and scenarios you could find yourself in so you know what to expect. Load up your pack with everything you plan to take and go for a hike…a long hike. Can you hack it? Adjust accordingly.

What adventures do you have planned for the summer? How are you preparing? Do you have any advice for others who are just starting out?