Thursday, December 6, 2012

Into the Wild


On February 15, 2013 I am leaving my dream job. It's been a decision I've mulled over for at least a couple of years now and I could see that it was never going to be an easy choice but I am finally convinved it is the right choice for me. I don't have another job ligned up and I don't even know what I really want to do for a job, but almost like a chapter out of The Alchemist, I can feel the universe moving me in this direction, as if to fulfill my personal legend.

The excitement is already building. My exit date is just on the heels of my second IronMan race, New Zealand. I'll be flying out only a few days after, and will return with no job to go back to, but a mission to have fun, play hard, spend a whole lot of time outdoors, and complete a 100 mile run. I hope to run out of money, get lost and find myself again.

The excitement I once had for my day job has long since faded away. For a long time now, I've drove, biked or ran to work on so many days when I would gaze off toward Mt Wilson and wish I were heading there instead. I've spent too many days in a dark building with my attention on a screen, slaving away towards a purpose that is not my own, making people richer than I even richer and not seeing the worth in it. I once imagined settling down here, falling in love and starting a family, but that hasn't happened and I'm done waiting around for it. I am off to make it a life worth living while I can still do it my way.

Years from now I'll look back and see that this was one of the best choices I ever made. I know it's one of the hardest. It's scarry because I am leaving behind a (false) sense of security and a network of friends and the familiar atmosphere. I am comfortable here and it is not to escape problems that I am leaving. I have to believe that something out there holds greater promise for me even though I don't know what it is. I feel a great sense of freedom, having the power to make this choice. And I know that I am going to discover something about myself I never would have if I hadn't chosen to do this.

2013 has the following in store for me, just to start. IronMan New Zealand and vacation in New Zealand and Fiji, touring up the U.S. West coast to visit friends and train along the way, Wildflower long course for the third time, a 100 mile run, hiking the John Muir trail, travel to Tanzania, climb Mt Kilimanjaro and visit Egypt, another 100 mile run. Ever wanted to live out your bucket list? What the hell are you waiting for?

The mountain are calling, and I must go. -John Muir