Departing Alone, Surviving as Community

As my departure got closer, everyone started asking, "When are you leaving?" As if it's a sure thing. As if I'm ever going to be prepared enough for the goal-oriented adventure to come. There have been hours spent deciding about gear, a cyclical anxious-progress-lull of my training and sponsorship-seeking schedule, and this unsettled feeling of pulling this together last minute. After committing to this two months ago, following hearing about it in January, I feel proud and grateful for where I sit. Today, I could've been on the road, but I chose to pack and do last minute gear repairs trying to set myself up for success! I feel at peace. Here are some thoughts on survival and community written on Sunday:

There's a consistent internal parallel lately, that SURVIVAL is synonymous with SUSTAINABILITY.

The connotations that come with sustainability are abundant. Of my own, I think of sustainability personally, environmentally, and within a society.
"Sustain one's self"
"Do things that affect the earth less"
"An action that is sound economically, feasibly, and has good long-term consequences. i.e. A business that sustains the stock market recession."
I'm sure there are many answers to this from educated facets. There are definitions from "Sustainability" textbooks (they exist- I have a few!), the 21st century go-to Google, Merriam Webster; however, each eludes to actions taken to ensure survival.

When we maintain personal survival, only then can we contribute well to our natural and societal surroundings. 

Preparing for this trip, also known as trying to ensure my future survival, I am reminded of how grateful I am for the opportunity. Although each detail isn't flawless, I was prepared for the opportunity to think this was possible for myself. Preparations such as each camping experience, on-the-fly athletic challenge, innovative find-a-way finances, as well as support from my community. (Stay tuned for this beautiful collection of good-nature in detail)

It took a great deal of help to get me to this point of possibility. To explain why I'm phrasing this in the way that I am, I'll break it down even farther. My fundamental needs for survival were met, so I was able to dream. I like to think back to how artists and philosophers were "sponsored" in a way, in an effort to further society. I'm not claiming to personally further society, yet I recognize the faster each of us can get closer to the level of "self-actualization", perhaps the stronger we can be as a whole. For me to make these kind of changes, I tend to do so in bold strides.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

This endeavor, that is essentially a vacation where I am not procuring income, feels contradictory to the "work-work-work to ensure personal survival" mentality ingrained in me from my "American Dream" environment. I do recognize the potential pitfalls of hubris during this trip, especially in choosing to write about it and asking for money to do so. The only way I could figure out a way to ask for donations through "GoFundMe" and keep my humility in check, was to vow to donate a portion to a different non-profit each week. And to do all I can in service of others.

If I can sustain myself, 

through meager savings 

(I'll be frank here, I have <$2,000 to my name and debts exist), 

and support from my community, 

I know I will be able to elevate myself, my environment, and my society to a greater level of survival and sustainability. 

I am determined to do so!

Nothing left to do but DO!