Self-Realization (402 hits)
Category: GeneralRating: 1.83 on 8 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Andrew Wissink <andrewwissink.at.yahoo.com> (View user info) at 2005-11-03 20:43:10 EST
There is more to life than experiences. Sitting at the top of a waterfall in Kanab, Utah, I came upon this idea, and its amazing how it changed my life.
I rode my grand-parents ATV out of the town at around 5:00 on a brisk Sunday morning in July. During that ride, I passed farmers gathering eggs, the native tribes setting up for their guided tours of the multi-colored sand caves, and early morning runners who were trying to get back in shape. These people knew nothing of each other, but still all had one thing in common: their will to be alive.
I cut down to the dry part of the riverbed, flying along at around 40 miles an hour, when I realized I was already 15 years old. I'd been alive for 15 years, and only existed really as a memory in the eyes of those that knew me. If I were to die riding down there, who would remember how I looked in ten years? Think back to your earlist childhood friend for a moment. Are you two still in contact? Or have they grown up as you have, with a whole new set of friends? Would you recognize them on the street? (Or street corner for you lovers of teh ghey buttsechs.)
I reached the base of the waterfall at around 5:20. I turned off the ATV, and started hiking up the side trail. The sky was starting to get lighter, and the sun would be up soon. I scrambled to the top, and slumped down against a tree, looking est, waiting for the first rays to peek out over the town. As I sat and waited, I had to wonder, how many people have sat in this very spot, waiting, and possibly thinking the same thoughts as me?
There are billions of people in this world. Out of all of them, how many would you say you know? How many would you say you know well? In order for there to be billions, there had to have been earlier generations. There are trillions of people who have existed, that had full lives, others not so full ones. Yet out of all of these people, we are taught and remember VERY few. They have all seen the same sun, moon, and starts that you have, and yet, we are all so unconnected in any physical way. I realized that life isn't about the memories we leave behind,the people we knew, or the things we did. it's all about experiencing it just like, yet completely differently than someone else.
As the sun reached up over the town, I reflected on the thoughts set forth by Charles Dickens in "A Tale of Two Cities". No one knows you but yourself, and it's your privledge to be able to experience this life.
User Reviews
Submitted by pinkshoes (user info) at 2006-08-22 19:13:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Sockster (user info) at 2006-08-22 18:46:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by matnotharry (user info) at 2006-01-04 18:03:18 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Thought provoking, always worth a plus two
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2005-12-12 09:45:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 for this:
Submitted by Tubabuhst_01 (user info) at 2005-12-11 21:00:39 (#)
Ranking: -2
Jesus fuckin christ man. I'm fuckin new here, and I've posted a total of ONE THING. You know WHY? I know that the people on here don't give a damn about my day, whether or not I got into Kylie's pants, or how my friends died in a car accident. I posted once, haven't had really much to say since, so I didn't bother to push good posts off the first page. But YOU? Shit, you must be IMPORTANT, after all you're a girl, and you're 16. Who KNOWS how your opinion on friviolus shit could affect the people of the earth.
Just do everyone a favor,
Shut the fuck up and die.
Submitted by Kent_Weirdo (user info) at 2005-12-12 08:25:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I gotta say, I thought that this was terrific. It reminds me of a lot of the things that I've been over-pondering these days. It also, more importantly, reminds me that I'm not an alien. Figuratively speaking, anyway.
When are you going to write another article?
Submitted by Tubabuhst_01 (user info) at 2005-11-03 21:06:39 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
16 actually....any sorry about any errors, but I pounded it out as it is, and there was no spell check goin on man.
Submitted by PokeyPecker (user info) at 2005-11-03 21:04:26 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
You're 15?
Ya don't say......
Submitted by Saxon (user info) at 2005-11-03 21:01:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Needs proof reading badly but nice sentiment all the same. Welcome to UBER.