When I started elementary school my daily routine consisted of getting on my bike, going to school, coming home watching tv, doing my homework, …
When I started elementary school my daily routine consisted of getting on my bike, going to school, coming home watching tv, doing my homework, and then upon my mom’s satisfaction being allowed to go out, and play until dinner. Ironically, my life hasn’t changed much since I was 6. Except that now the two wheeler has been replaced by 4, and my mom doesn’t review my code. But the desire for adventure after a hard day’s work has been a constant factor in this femgineer’s life.
I can’t quite explain where this need to discover the world around me arose. I find myself spending copious amounts of time planning, searching, and thinking about what I will do on my next adventure; trapezing, sailing, snorkeling, snow boarding, learning Spanish… the possibilities are endless. I’ve also noticed that after my adventures I’m ready to go back to my quiet cubicle and code for days on end. But without an impending trip planned life just seems mundane.
So then I started wondering what defines an adventurer as opposed to an explorer. And what is the purpose of being an adventurer? To me an explorer is someone who sets sail with a clear goals, e.g. Columbus setting sail to go to India to return with goods for the queen. I have no such goals. And an explorer hopes to unveil to the world new places. I’m only experiencing what someone else has already discovered.
Hence, I came to the conclusion that the purpose of being an adventurer is to enrich one’s own life. Yes it is a purely selfish act, I’m not denying that, but the purpose of life is to pursue one’s own happiness. My experiences shape my memories, and I use those memories to make my everyday life more manageable and enjoyable. I often share my experiences with loved ones to help them understand me better, or just as a means of pure entertainment.
To me an adventure is just story, where you are the main character, and you’re not quite sure how the story will end. There’s a setting, other characters whom you meet (they maybe a fellow protagonist, an antagonist, or a romantic interest, all of whom keep life interesting), and the plot thickens with every experience you have.
People often say “life is short”. To me the 25 years that I’ve been on this earth has seemed like quite a long time. But I think the reason they say it is because they have regrets or have experienced disappointments in their lives due to unfulfilled dreams or expectations. I don’t think I have any regrets. And I’ve had a lot of experiences, mostly good ones, that keep me seeking more adventure in my life.
