Finding Value in the Useless

Adventure challenges us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It forces us to confront our greatest fears, it teaches us to draw upon our greatest strengths. It makes us suffer, it makes us doubt....it....

Thanks for sharing. Good stuff dude.

 

Homie you ever read Chuang Tzu? There's a friggin awesome little passage on the use of the useless...Mushin abide type stuff. I'll post it up when I get home and find it...

But, I haven't read this article yet, will do so once my ducks are in order here...

 

I live 1 hour away from the White Mountains in NH. We go hiking several times a year, in addition to the other exercises we do. At first, I used to ask myself, "why am I doing this?"....now, I insist we go as often as possible. Four or five hours hiking and climbing, in some spots on all fours, has a real positive effect on our abilities to try other things,. It helps keep me in shape for surfing as well. Helps endurance.

 

Yea...something about being in the Mountains/Wilderness really drives me for all this thread is about (surfing too). Although some may disagree with hunting/taking of life...I have hunted up in the Mountains ever since I was a kid. We get up there away from it all (except the bear, coyote, deer etc.) and just hiking through the wilderness all day is enough....if I am fortunate enough to put some meat in the freezer...bonus. I have gotten myself into some situations where I have asked "why am I doing this" but it always seems to be worth it...for feeding the soul is so rewarding!!!

 

As if any recreational activity has any useful purpose or value?

I guess the only difference is that people don't quit working and go on the road, living out of their vans in search of the Perfect Bowling Alley.