letting go.
i first watched a map for saturday, a year and a half ago. since then, i've watched it about ten times all while sharing it with friends. each and every person i share it with usually turns and says something to the means of, "holy shit, this is awesome." everyone is astounded by the risk that this high flying producer takes and the result of his exploration. 

there are numerous reasons why you shouldn't quit your high paying stable job and travel, but on the contrary what's more worthwhile... living the same experience day in or day out in the same environment with the same rules and expectations OR letting go to experience the unknown, putting yourself in a situation that you've never encountered before and persevering through all of the challenges of travelling for a year? 

i can't say that my experience was the same as brook's as described in a map for saturday, but when i took my trip out west this fall, my eyes were opened. the world itself made more sense than previously thought. i understood my place in society and how my efforts affected the lives of those around me. my travels have since taken me to tennessee and madrid... each trip taught me new life lessons from the most unique sources and people.

i don't know if i'll ever depart on an epic 365 day travel journey around the world, but i'll continue to travel and seek out the people, the sites, the food, the cultures that will enhance my life and my perspective.

so, with this said... i want my journey to continue. 
the next logical question is, "where to next?"

a friend has already planted the seed to join him on a trip to haiti, when others have invited me to visit wyoming, colorado, nyc, germany, and even south korea. in a nutshell, when i return to my apartment in la crosse there will be a large map of the united states and the world on our wall. we, the roommates are hoping to track our travels and indicate the places where our friends reside, both within and outside of the united states.

here's my request: 
if you're a friend of mine and are interested in seeing me this fall, winter, or spring... just let me know when you're available and get ready because my friends will be soon knocking at your door ready to explore and experience your city.
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"people say, 'oh, you're so lucky.'
it's not lucky, it's about attitude." 
rhiamnon: 27, wales

watch the film, be inspired, and let go.

i was sitting in my office doing some random camp work on the computer when a new e-mail appeared in my inbox. 

the subject line read, "be the dancing guy."


i opened it up and clicked on the attached youtube link and waited. as the video was loading, i realized that this message was sent from nancy, one of our office managers at camp. she and her office manager counterpart have worked for camp before i started in 2003, and will likely be there after i leave. so, it's fair to say that they're rooted in our camp's history. 

on a number of occasions i've received inspirational websites, links, and videos from nancy. in the heat of the summer, she always finds ways to brighten our days and the original "dancing guy" video did just that (fyi - the original was the video's raw footage, without the voice over). 


this youtube video hit the internet after the 2009 sasquatch music festival, in washington. i remember sitting and analyzing the 3 minute clip over and over. i guess i was surprised that it was actually captured on film, because 99 out of 100 times, this experience doesn't get documented... but, to my enjoyment, this sequence was captured from the beginning to the end. it incorporates everything from group dynamics, leadership, followers, support, trust, passion, to love.


it made me rethink the importance of leaders, ideas, and followers.
without an idea, nothing will happen.  
without leaders, nothing will happen.
most importantly, without followers/supporters ideas will never become reality.


i recently came across a remix to the original "dancing guy" video that i viewed last summer (i've posted it below). derek sivers, author and inventor, spent time dissecting the video and he turns the raw footage into a lesson on leadership. 

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take a moment to experience the power of one, some, and then many more...
has your passion ever started a movement?