Many of us go through life sitting in an office, or continuing to work at a job with no upward mobility. Now that, I believe is doing life wrong!
Don't get me wrong, offices aren't bad! No, it's wrong looking back on your dreams and realizing that you never took the leap. You should strive just as hard to learn and risk it as you did in school. Three and a half years ago, I took a leap and followed a dream. I graduated college in 2013 with a longing for the outdoors and a desire to work in the film industry.
I applied for jobs over 6 months, worked several jobs and freelanced in Ohio.
I took a risk and applied for several jobs in Los Angeles.
I even flew out for an interview in October 2013, risking several hundred bucks with no promise for a job!
None of that was easy, but I was running hard after my dream. Then I landed a job in Los Angeles. That one risky flight paid off! I followed that dream and road-tripped across the country with my brother the week of Thanksgiving.
Off we went to LA with a little packed out Honda Civic!
It was 5 days of fun, exploration and tons of bonding. Yet I never knew what it might look like over the next several years.
Two years later he took a vacation in October of 2015 and we went off and climbed in Joshua Tree. He took this picture below of me in Joshua Tree (and it was sweltering in October still -- please wait until the end of November or December to visit J-Tree....the sun took it out of us each day at near 100 degrees each day). Now my brother lives in Denver and I in Los Angeles!
Looking back now, that risk was worth it! It was a journey of adventure throughout the last 3 1/2 years of learning and growing.
Risk and risk big! I learned that by doing and continued to risk it over the years. As a child I was told that I must risk it to find a journey along the way. Many people talk about risk as if it's a pipe dream that they long for as they sit at their desks. Yet in fact risk is quite scary in the moment. Looking back, one can see the greater picture of the risk -- while in the moment you are petrified.
Seriously though, who cares if it doesn't work out. At least you took the risk!
I took a risk and do not regret it. I've learned along the way more about myself, passions, and strength than I would have ever learned. Yes it was uncomfortable and messy. It sometimes really hurt to be working so hard in the industry. However it was worth it!
Risk it and take the chance at failing. If we never learn to fail, where will we ever be in life?
I'm no huge fan of hockey, but a huge fan of hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky's one phrase (many of you have probably heard) -- "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."
Now I took another risk and I'm freelancing in the Film Industry. I have no clue where the money will come from, but I'm trusting that it will work out as I set out each day.
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
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