I visited 12 National Parks in two months.
Here’s what I learned…
How do I start?
It’s hard to put into words the reason why we make big decisions. It’s even harder to share those thoughts because, in this case, I fear people will think I’m boasting, ungrateful, inconsiderate… Replace with any other adjective that could come across negatively.
The truth is entirely the opposite.
I need to pull back the curtain to explain.
Past
I’m an emotional individual; I think with my heart first but quickly follow with my head. I’m constantly reflecting on and analyzing every action. I am critical, beating myself down through repeated self-analyzation, eventually using that as fuel to push further and improve.
I’m also highly competitive. A “hunter-gatherer”, if you will. I’m not afraid to take risks, but through self-criticism and reflection, they’re very calculated risks. With that calculation complete (enough), I don’t fear failure. I go after it. Once I taste success (ahhhh, it tastes sooooo good!) I want more. It’s a never-ending chase.
That combination has been a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing because it has afforded me success in many definitions: married, two beautiful kids, a dog, a house, savings, investments, turning my passions into careers… You know, the “American Dream”. To achieve these “dreams,” I worked 60-100 hour weeks, 49-52 weeks per year, for over a decade. To put it in perspective, a 40-hour workweek feels like a vacation. Sometimes, I’ll knock out 40 hours in just 2.5 work days. But it’s not uncommon for me to work 14-hour days for 10+ days straight. Most would call that a “workaholic”.
Here’s the curse. Remember how I mentioned I am a “hunter-gatherer”? When I tasted that financial success, I didn’t celebrate my wins. Instead, I wanted more. I set loftier savings and investment goals each year, and when I achieved them it was never enough. I was in a financially incentivized spiral, never content or satisfied. But during this decade of hunting and gathering, I sacrificed many things: fatherhood, partnership, health, and friendship. It’s not like I wasn’t doing those things, but I definitely didn’t have them high on my priority list. Priority #1 in the past was “Get Money.”
Present
“It’s not all about money.”
“Life’s short.”
“Don’t take your health for granted.”
Oof… That last one. That last one has hit hard these last couple of years. These are all sayings we hear throughout our lives. We all know them. They’re easy to understand. But it’s also easy to grow numb to them because they’re so common and straightforward. Remember, at the beginning of this writing, I said, “It’s hard to put into words the reason why we make big decisions”, and “The truth is completely opposite.”? Well, here we go…
“I’m an EMOTIONAL individual.”
I feel deeply for my family. I feel deeply for my friends. I feel deeply for anyone going through hard times. I fell into a deep depression 16 years ago and have battled varying degrees of depression on and off ever since. Other than that, I have been extremely fortunate, and I’m grateful for that. I’m constantly reminding myself how lucky I have it. Keep that word in mind here… LUCKY.
“I fear people will think I’m boasting, ungrateful, INCONSIDERATE.”
Over the last two years, I can count on more than two hands the number of family members or friends who no longer have the luxury of “taking their health for granted.” Unfortunately, many of them are now with us only in spirit. During these extremely unfortunate times that my friends and family members experience, I see inspiration.
One friend comes to mind. He’s open with his current cancer diagnosis and battle, and he’s highly vulnerable while sharing. I see it as bravery; he might call it something else. But damn, it’s undoubtedly inspiring. He and his wife just welcomed their first kid a few months ago. They run their own business in their small mountain town. They stay physically active, even when he’s not feeling his best. And I’m not talking about “going for a little walk around the block.” I’m talking about being savagely active: paragliding, backcountry skiing, mountain biking, etc. I love this guy. The way he’s taking his diagnosis head-on is impressive. It’s inspirational. #fuckcancer
“It’s hard to put into words the reason WHY WE MAKE BIG DECISIONS”
I’m on the other side. The “lucky” side. I’m lucky to still have my health. My wife and kids still have their health. But damn me if I take my or my family’s health for granted ever again. In the name of my friends and family, who can no longer say they’re on the lucky side, I have the freedom to make decisions. I recognize that. When you lose your health, decisions are made for you.
Future
“Don’t take your health for granted.”
“Life’s short.”
“It’s not all about money.”
With my living and lost family and friends heavily on my mind and these “quotes” giving me a little extra push, I said, “f**k it” in the best way possible. My wife and I packed our family into our truck, towed our 26’ travel trailer, and traveled to 12 National Parks for over two months. On the surface, it’s an extremely long vacation. That’s what I thought it would be when I started it, and nothing more. Honestly, it ended up being much more than that.
It was an opportunity to realign my priorities as a human, husband, father, and entrepreneur. I’m still unraveling my experiences, thoughts, and reflections from this trip + the last two years, but my priorities have changed. Here they are today.
My health comes first. If I’m not healthy, then I’m not here for the people who care about me.
My family comes second. Be physically present for my kids; That matters more to them than me getting us more money from working. Be a great partner to my wife.
My work comes third. I love what I do, I love my clients like friends and family, and I need to work to feel fulfilled. Hunting and gathering are a necessity to my soul.
These priorities used to be flipped and extremely disproportionate.
I feel for those who don’t have their health right now. I mourn for those who have lost their battles. These life experiences of my family and friends are not just taken on a surface level accompanied by thoughts, prayers, or donations. Don’t get me wrong, those are necessary and wonderful, and I know second-hand that they help a ton. But I think it’s essential to do more than that when you still have the opportunity.
This is where I fear things become misconstrued. My writings here, or my two months of travel, aren’t intended as boasting, ungrateful, or inconsiderate. Instead, it’s recognizing that I have an opportunity. And so do you. We let the pursuit of money dominate our waking lives, dictating our energy level with whatever time remains. We call this “work”. Others aren’t as fortunate. One of the highest respects we can pay to our loved ones, both family and friends, is to be intentional with our limited time on this earth, creating a better life for ourselves and those around us, while we still can.
I didn’t know it then, but this video results from the following thoughts…
We let our waking lives be dominated by the pursuit of money and call it work. For many, this pursuit of money will negatively impact our energy levels and emotions outside of work. I’m not saying “work is bad” or “don’t work”. I love work. I need money to live in society and support my family. Instead, I’m suggesting that each individual and/or family unit should reassess their priorities and pursuits and be intentional with their actions while they still have the opportunity. Not everyone is as fortunate.
Take time to figure out what is important to you in life. Go out there and get after it. Don’t wait until tomorrow. You’re lucky to have today.
“It’s not all about money.”
“Life’s short.”
“Don’t take your health for granted.”
-Nate
