A Friendly Reminder
That is me and my good friend Adam Sitta in Wollengong Australia 10 years ago. Adam, a native Aussie, and I met while I was studying abroad and we still talk today some 10 years later. In Australia we were either traveling, surfing, chasing girls, or planning our future travels. We were going to see it all, I was going to actually become an OK surfer, he was going to snowboard in the States, we were going to climb mountains on each continent, we would learn langauges and meet people.
10 years have passed since I was that young optimistic student enjoying life abroad, and it has been about that long since I last saw my friend Adam, but he has taken up a special role in my psyche. Everytime we speak he inspires me and makes me deeply question my life just by being himself. I have become an American SUIT, I work 50-60 hours a week, I own a house, I own a 2 cars and 3 or more motorcycles. I surround myself with stuff, buying things to pat myself on the back for all my hard work.
Adam on the other hand has dedicated himself to a life of experience, he works at a job that he enjoys (most of the time) and works to travel and support his surfing habit. Most years he will tell you stories of months in Indonesia, or travels to Europe or South America, stories of epic surf, and interesting fellow travelers. His life is modest in many ways but it is one that I would trade mine for most days.
Don’t get me wrong, I like my work and it seems to get more interesting and rewarding with every passing, but I believe it is important to stop and ask why am I doing this. Is the work an end in itself or is it a means to an end. If it is a means to an end is it the most efficient means possible?
When I talk to Adam it is a friendly reminder that I am working hard because I enjoy the challenge and creative expression of the projects I am working on, and I am striving for the financial and psychic independence to be able to say YES next time Adam asks if I can meet him in Bali for a few weeks of life changing surf.
Thanks Adam for the reminder, and for still bothering to ask where we can meet up, every time we talk.
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