humanity
If nothing else, travel opens your eyes to the colorful quilt that is humankind.
The Complete Coyote Gulch Tale
Chapter 1: To the Edge of Coyote Gulch “Where will you be heading into the gulch at?” asked the National Park Service Ranger stationed behind the counter at the Escalante visitor center upon hearing our request for a backcountry permit. When my companion Kat replied “40 mile trailhead” the old woman’s head snapped up sharply and she fixed us both with a hard gaze. “You do realize the trail there is a 45 degree descent. Are you both capable of handling that, with packs?” We nodded as she gave us the once over, appearing satisfied with what she saw she handed over the permit and we turned to leave. A 45 degree descent sounded challenging but that was exactly the reason we had made the long trip out to the Utah desert, to test ourselves against some of the most difficult backpacking conditions to be found in the United States and prove our mettle. At the time I was grateful for the heads up and warning, later I would curse the old woman for what she neglected to tell us. The 45 degree descent into the gulch was a one way trip, it simply was not possible to return up out of the gulch the same way.
By Everyday Junglist3 years ago in Wander
Pursue Passions, Not Paychecks. Top Story - June 2021.
You know, I could work somewhere else. I know for a fact that I could make more money. You would be surprised at how many people tell me that I should... could... would... do better in another field. And if I'm honest, I know it's true. My work ethic, my ability to multitask, my project management skills, and my many years of working with this generations top motivational speakers, has earned me the right to make the type of money I believe I deserve. BUT... I work in the non-profit world, and the truth is... I'm obsessed with it. I love it in a way that won't allow me to do anything else. I love helping people. When I say "helping" I mean LEADING leaders. I mean pushing people towards discovering their unique gifts and abilities. I mean building brands. I mean making connections. Not only that, but then following up with a plan of action of what it will take to get to the next level. THIS work, well, it gives me a sense of fulfillment. I love dreaming, and planning and coaching people into their lifelong goals and purpose. I live to see the lightbulb go off in someone's head. It's the moment they say to themselves...
By Monica Wilkinson3 years ago in Wander
The Old Man, the Haircut, and the Four Days of Naples
I held my phone ready in my hand. A trick I learned. When you live in a country whose language you don’t speak, even the simplest tasks become exponentially more difficult. But at one point, after a haircut I was particularly pleased with, I had the foresight to take a selfie and store it in my phone. I didn’t have to rely on my nonexistent Italian to tell the barber what I wanted. I only needed to show him a picture.
By Ryan Frawley3 years ago in Wander
Journey To Fulfillment
Up until a few years ago, fulfillment was a concept that constantly eluded me. I was so wrapped up in just paying bills and getting my life together. The truth is that from age 15 to 25 I was constantly numbing my feelings with multiple substance. I had grown up gay in the midwestern and southern parts of the United States, so self-acceptance was nearly impossible. I didn’t really have any coping skills except for hiding my head in a good book or eating as much as possible. I felt completely alone for the majority of my childhood. My parents didn’t understand. They couldn’t have done anything differently. I know that now. I just hid within myself. There was no fulfillment. It was all about surviving and hoping people would leave me alone.
By David Jacobson3 years ago in Wander
A Month in China
Back in 2017 my wife and I traveled back to her home in China, it had been almost four years since she had last visited. She and I had just gotten married a year before and we had a tumultuous year and a half dealing with US Immigration (We live in Canada now, I moved her here with me.) and the Parents-in-Law wanted to meet me.
By Nicholas R Yang3 years ago in Wander
Out of Place at Home
Growing up, I always felt out of place. I just never really fit in. I didn’t like overly girly stuff, so I didn’t fit in with the girls. And I wasn’t a boy, so I didn’t fit in with the boys. On top of this, I was the tall kid. The overweight kid. As a six-foot seventh grader, whose figure did not conform to the acceptable petiteness of preteen girls, my time in middle school was fraught with feeling like the ultimate outsider. Always removed from the socializing that was happening in the circles a foot below me.
By Megan Clancy3 years ago in Wander
Living the Dream in Paris
Glass exploded in my face as the deafening percussion pounded my ears. “GET DOWN! GET DOWN!” Brad screamed. “THEY’RE SHOOTING AT US!” I dove to the floor of the Mercedes, just as a big, hairy hand reached menacingly towards me. My fantastic dream had just turned into a living nightmare!
By Donna L. Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)3 years ago in Wander