Frith asked me a question in the comments of my goals post. She asked what things that i have accomplished that i am proud of or have learned from. I think this is a cool question. For me in particular, because i generally do not spend a lot of time reflecting on the past. I generally look to the future. Perhaps too much so, as i should probably live in the present more.
In a way, this turns into a what-do-i-like-about-myself exercise. Because to a large extent, we are the sum of our experiences.
- Parasailing – this sounds stupid, but for years i wanted to experience parasailing. When i did finally do it, it was fun but not as much fun as i had imagined. I have learned that a lot of things are like that, and whenever i have that “is that all there is?” feeling, i remember parasailing. My parasailing experience taught me that a lot of things are not what they are cracked up to be, and it has stuck with me.
- Snow skiing – and whitewater rafting, and horseback riding, and water skiing, and rockclimbing, and freefalling… these are all things that i have tried, and each one was a separate, personal challenge. It’s part of an overall attitude of seeking out new things and that it’s OK to take some risks.
- Marriage – even though it didn’t work out, there is no denying that i learned a vast amount from the experience of being married. The process of two people melding into one unit. Learning how to live with another person. Aligning your goals with someone else’s. Compromise.
- Divorce – similarly, the process of extracting onesself from such a relationship was a huge event in my life. It was miserable, but i learned a great deal about myself and a good bit about others.
- Cohabitation – it is like being married, yet different. It challenges societal norms. It has caused me to really examine what i want out of a relationship. So again, i learned a lot about myself (and still am).
- Working – ever since i was old enough to get a worker’s permit at 15, i have held some kind of job. In high school I worked as a secretary’s assistant and a fast food cook/cashier. I learned time management, responsibility, how to work with others, how to communicate well with and even hold authority over people older than me, how to budget, that people can be pretty shitty, and that people can also be pretty great.
- Volunteering – i was exposed to people much less fortunate than me at a young age as the homeless shelter in our town is part of the charitable organization my dad is involved with. My brothers and i volunteered a fair amount growing up. I think it has shaped my view of what it means to have and to have not.
There are of course other experiences i have learned from and am proud of which have shaped who i am. But when Frith asked, these are the major things that came to mind as having contributed to my worldview.