What sets you apart ? or should it ?

This memorial day weekend, I met a guy named Shane Wohlken who hiked the Continental Divide trail, A trial that is 3100 miles long spanning from Canada all the way to Mexico via Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. To my eyes, he looked like a super-hero the moment I learnt about his feat. I got very inquisitive about his hike and bombarded him with a bunch of questions about his experiences. His photo journal from the trip had wonderful pictures of the landscapes that he passed through. Any repetition of his experiences in this write up will only be a mockery of his hike. It's something that should be narrated in his own words and while he is at it, the sense of accomplishment that he expressed and the glittery eyes spoke for themselves.

Just when all of this was happening, a few were interested in the "camera" he used for the hike, others were curious about his "job situation" during the hike, and all he cared about was "The Hike". In my opinion, its not the hike that sets you apart from others (which by default it does), its the courage to take up the challenge and being able to detach from all the worldly things for a while is the point of differentiation. My conversation with him was probably the one time I did not check my godforsaken Iphone for over 30 minutes I wasn't sleeping and many can vouch for that.

When I told some of friends about Shane the next day, all they had to say was, "These guys don't have a life man. They are crazy. They just give up their jobs and end up nowhere in life". Others at the table were readily in congruence. To my surprise they had no appreciation for what Shane accomplished. Interestingly, they tried to bolster just their idea of what life should be like.

In my thoughts though, every person deserves to know, have courage to look within and define what they want. Being successful is not about just getting respect for where you are, but rather what you are as a person. Small adventures and travel help you find just that!

Sometimes, all it takes is a rare encounter that reminds you of what you love and dream about ! I for sure walked away with a reignited passion.