New Beginnings

It has been a week since I graduated college and I think it's funny that I haven't really touched my video games at all. When I was in school, I felt like that's almost all I did because they provided an escape. Now that I have nothing to escape from, the allure of video games don't attract me as much because I feel like I can be doing something else with my life. Ever since I quit crossfit two years ago, there hasn't been a single day that I don't think about it. I see the physical progress of some of my old friends and I'm not in any sense jealous but proud and happy for them because healthy living is a beautiful thing. After being couped up in my room doing nothing but reading literature and playing video games, I feel like the muscle atrophy I went through has seriously affected my happiness level. Simply looking in the mirror depressed me because I am a shadow of what I used to be 2 years ago and 30lbs heavier with pure muscle. I know I complain on the surface but I can't get enough of physical activity and it's what I crave most right now. Thankfully, I've been blessed with friends and family that stay active and I've been able to go out and explore new sports and activities.

Today is March 31st, 2013 Easter Sunday. It is also my birthday and I can't help but think that this was some cosmic poetical coincidence. The day I was brought into this world happens to be the day Christ was resurrected from the grave. His return represents new hope and beginnings, thus arrival of Spring and flowers re-blooming after the harsh winter. Is it coincidence that my graduation was near my birthday, essentially freeing me from one of the longest chapters of my life (school)? Last night I met a man named Sean and he was telling me of his travels through New Zealand in which he spent a minimum of 3000$ lasting him 8 months.  I'm about to travel to Japan with a stay of 2 weeks and an allowance of 4000$. Sean's take on essentials really put my travels into perspective in which I reallly do just want to travel in the "backpacking" sense of the word. Perhaps real traveling is something I should look into instead of this...typical tourist type of traveling that involves hotels, luxury, and room service. I yearn to explore the world to find peace of mind without worry of money, taxes, relationship problems, and uneccessary drama. To me it is a form of peaceful meditation that should be a way of life. Isn't that what the Buddhist strive for? Enlightenment? Nirvana? To empty your mind and focus on the task at hand. That's essentially what rock climbing is to me. The only thing that matters is getting to the next rock, the next hold and nothing else. I'm not burdened by any other thoughts and I can honestly say it's the only time I feel like I'm right with the world. Rock climbing is only a temporary relief though. After your 4 hour climb, you get back into your car or your bike and you go back home to the same comfortable lifestyle. Backpacking sounds like an everlasting experience and maybe 8 months is a bit much but perhaps I can try 2 months of traveling on my own. --I should've asked for camp gear for my birthday.