Escaping the Rat Race
What is stopping me?
from 
JoeUser Forums
JoeUser Forums
I just went and saw a documentary entitled Warren Millers Journey. I am not sure if any of you guys would have heard of him, but he has been around for a while, and is somewhat a pioneer in the Ski industry.
I have never been affected by a docco so much in my whole life.
It's approaching Winter in Australia, which means ski season. We dont get the best snow in Australia, actually, calling it snow would be a compliment, it is probably more sleet than anything else - but that doesn't stop me from loving it.
I went snowboarding for the first time in my entire life in August last year, and I had the time of my life. There is something about being on a snowboard, and being immersed in breathtaking surroundings of thousand feet tall mountains. I got to experience that again tonight, if only through a camera lense, alas - it still had the same profound affect on me.
I have spent the last 20 or so minutes figuring out why I dont just quite my job, escape the rat race, and go work on the mountains.
It's hard for me to articulate how i feel through words right now, but I will try - and hopefully writing this down will assist to work through my issues!
I have absolutely no desire for material possesions at the moment. I want life experience. I want to meet new people, I want to try new things, and most of all, I want to test myself. I find myself asking - getting up at work at 6.30am every morning, being first in the office, and helping people throughout the day - is that what my life is about?
I absolutely love my job - however, at this point in time, I have sneaking suspisions that there are several jobs that I would love more. What is stopping me from taking the initiative to find out what the world has to offer?
Is job security that important to me? No, it certainly isn't. I am one of those people that adapts to any situation, and can develop and impress with new skills - learnt literally over night, so I am confident in my ability to learn, and exel - so it's not that.
Am I scared to challenge myself on a mountain? No.
Am I the type of person that just up and leaves my friends and family for selfish desires? No, thats not me at all - and I think that is what is keeping me here in sunny Melbourne.
That is looking awfully like a cop out though - would my friend's and family notice if I was gone? would it really impact their life that much? after all, I would only be a phone call away right?
There was a scene in in Anchorage, Alaska - with three mates carving up a mountain in the morning, and fishing for King Salmon, drinking beer in the afternoon - isn't that what life is supposed to be about?
I am still very young - I have plenty of time to decide which path in life will be the right one for me! It's just good to know that I dont care about who has the nicest car, the biggest house, or the most money. Whilst this movie has made me question my position and who I am right now, it has helped me find answers that I wasn't so sure about earlier.
I know I will rack off overseas soon enough, and go with the flow. I just know the time right now isn't right - and my lifestyle isn't exactly what i would call the Rat Race - I still know how to have fun, in fact, I would say I have my masters degree in that field!
It's just important that I stay grounded, without the ground consuming my soul. Working is fine - as long as you work for yourself, and not for the man. I still get enjoyment out of my work, knowing i have made a difference in someones day by helping them - and I suppose as soon as that fire dies, it will be time to light a new one.
I am glad I was able to question my motives. I am glad I am secure with who I am and what I do. Most of all, I am glad the slopes of Australia will be covered in snow in a matter of weeks!
BAM!!!
I have never been affected by a docco so much in my whole life.
It's approaching Winter in Australia, which means ski season. We dont get the best snow in Australia, actually, calling it snow would be a compliment, it is probably more sleet than anything else - but that doesn't stop me from loving it.
I went snowboarding for the first time in my entire life in August last year, and I had the time of my life. There is something about being on a snowboard, and being immersed in breathtaking surroundings of thousand feet tall mountains. I got to experience that again tonight, if only through a camera lense, alas - it still had the same profound affect on me.
I have spent the last 20 or so minutes figuring out why I dont just quite my job, escape the rat race, and go work on the mountains.
It's hard for me to articulate how i feel through words right now, but I will try - and hopefully writing this down will assist to work through my issues!
I have absolutely no desire for material possesions at the moment. I want life experience. I want to meet new people, I want to try new things, and most of all, I want to test myself. I find myself asking - getting up at work at 6.30am every morning, being first in the office, and helping people throughout the day - is that what my life is about?
I absolutely love my job - however, at this point in time, I have sneaking suspisions that there are several jobs that I would love more. What is stopping me from taking the initiative to find out what the world has to offer?
Is job security that important to me? No, it certainly isn't. I am one of those people that adapts to any situation, and can develop and impress with new skills - learnt literally over night, so I am confident in my ability to learn, and exel - so it's not that.
Am I scared to challenge myself on a mountain? No.
Am I the type of person that just up and leaves my friends and family for selfish desires? No, thats not me at all - and I think that is what is keeping me here in sunny Melbourne.
That is looking awfully like a cop out though - would my friend's and family notice if I was gone? would it really impact their life that much? after all, I would only be a phone call away right?
There was a scene in in Anchorage, Alaska - with three mates carving up a mountain in the morning, and fishing for King Salmon, drinking beer in the afternoon - isn't that what life is supposed to be about?
I am still very young - I have plenty of time to decide which path in life will be the right one for me! It's just good to know that I dont care about who has the nicest car, the biggest house, or the most money. Whilst this movie has made me question my position and who I am right now, it has helped me find answers that I wasn't so sure about earlier.
I know I will rack off overseas soon enough, and go with the flow. I just know the time right now isn't right - and my lifestyle isn't exactly what i would call the Rat Race - I still know how to have fun, in fact, I would say I have my masters degree in that field!
It's just important that I stay grounded, without the ground consuming my soul. Working is fine - as long as you work for yourself, and not for the man. I still get enjoyment out of my work, knowing i have made a difference in someones day by helping them - and I suppose as soon as that fire dies, it will be time to light a new one.
I am glad I was able to question my motives. I am glad I am secure with who I am and what I do. Most of all, I am glad the slopes of Australia will be covered in snow in a matter of weeks!
BAM!!!
. Jeez I waffle. Sorry. Liked the article 
