Why Des is going to walk El Camino de Santiago

I've been thinking about what to write here for a couple of days and all I could think of was "Well I was so sad when I got back from Africa that I had to start planning my next trip.  That seemed lackluster, but then I realized the answer to this is virtually the same answer as to why I went to Africa.

I don't want to be on my porch swing when I'm 80 reflecting on my life and have the highlights be Vegas, Phoenix, Mexico, Vancouver, anything that comes in a package deal on expedia.  I'm not judging anyone who gets a lot out of those trips, I personally just would not feel fulfilled if I didn't push myself to the limits of my comfort zone in the time I have on earth.  I think bucket lists should be a mandatory part of life.  I think people need to be more selfish.  I think that the family I'll have in 10 years will get a lot more from me than the family I could have had 5 years ago.

I want the majority of the vacations I go on to make me grow as a person.  That being said, after this trip my next vacation is going to be to cheap-hot-beach.  I'm not a big drinker.  I make my own relaxation mandatory in the organization of my everyday life.  So the purpose of me getting away is to expand myself as a person.  Africa taught me just how little the western world contributes to their own existence and that sometimes people become affiliated with charities to write off travel costs.  Love and acceptance doesn't require a porsche and 6 figure salary.  The best thing I walked away with from Africa was a better understanding of how to find people on my wavelength.  Throw yourself into situations that are the extreme of an interest.  If you're compassionate, go build a house in Africa.  If you believe in testing the physical and mental limits of all that you are, walk 800km in Spain.

I also want to inspire 18-25 year olds to be more selfish and to go and do these things instead of pinteresting their wedding and planning their baby rooms.  The glitter of those situations wears off.  If you don't do what you need to do for yourself before you commit yourself to everyone else, you're going to have far more obstacles on your journey to happiness than those who put their feet down and choose themselves initially.

In reality, if I had a family right now, I wouldn't have likely found my love for the medical industry and I'd be bitter and miserable in a 9-5 mediocre job.  That's where I was headed and that's where I see a lot of people end up.  I find people in Debolt make their own happiness a priority and I think that's why I spend a lot of time out there.  I like that mentality.  

At this point if I were to have a family I'd be alright.  I've explored and networked and learnt some valuable life lessons.  I could go work municipal EMS and that'd be A-OK, not my ideal dream, but comfortable.

Ideally, I'd like to come back from Spain, postpone a family a bit longer and open a wine-bar.  If I commit to that idea my long-term happiness will be at it's full potential.  That dream is a result of the selfish decisions I've made so far, and I'd like to see it come to fruition.  

Be selfish. Adventure. Push yourself. Take risks. Don't get pregnant before you want to. Be honest. Even if it pisses off everyone around you.

http://100things.com.au/campaigners/Desiree_Menya#