Greatness or Lack there of (So far...)

So what is it that is driving you to do this?
That is a question I am asks most often when I explain to people what I am setting out to do. It is simple to answer and it is a difficult to answer.

The simple explanation is; Why not? Everything is there. I have what is needed to do this. Many have sailed across the ocean on far less than what I possess. And I'm not trying to set any records. Just see as much and experience as much as possible. Many are in their retirement years! Sure the majority have much much more experience than I do. Sure most (if not all) have more money than I do. But I have everything I need to accomplish this task I have set. Determination. Knowledge. Courage. I'm not a thrill seeker and I am also the kind of person who takes great care and preparation when my life maybe (and is!) on the line. The answer still rings true: Why not?

Now the difficult answer is more complex.... When yours truly was just a knee high squirt filled with youthful exuberance I was constantly pushing the boundaries of how far I could go. Before my dad would yell for me to come back that is. I was never satisfied with just going to the lake. I needed to explore the area. Collect things I found. I was adventure bound from an early age. Fearless of the dangers that await! Or that is how I would think of it. Other than just having a deep seated need to explore and discover I also seek a piece of mind. As we all do. But I feel that I must travel the world to find mine. I want to interact with other cultures. Conquer diverse landscapes. And inspect ancient ruins. Observer and study the flora and fauna. Find that thing that is missing. Have you ever felt there was something missing in your life and just couldn't put your finger on what exactly it was? Well that is how I have felt ALL MY LIFE. So I set out to hunt it down. I'm not sure where I heard it, but this quote has echoed in my mind from an early age:

"Some are born great, some achieve greatness,
and some have greatness thrust upon them."

It was only in recent years that I learned of the origin of this quote. Shakespeare sure did have a way with words. I do not know which category I would fall under or if history will even allow me to join the ranks of any at all.

What do you think of the name "WindWaker" for the boat? I'm a Zelda fan and it kind of sounds good to me.

Its on us

Every one of us begins life with an open mind. A sense of curiosity. And wide eyed wonder. Sadly, most loose these things as life carries on. The open mind is paved shut from the rigors of memorization in structured school systems. The curiosity that drove you further and further from your front door was scarred over from the many times you fell down, or got burned. The wide eyed amazement of the natural world seems to fade with every shun and scorn of cast from society as being naivety.
Those who are lucky enough to retain these wonderful attributes are part of the few social outcasts. Though some are revered most find no place of belonging. Instead, forming their own "societies" where they group together with other dregs. Collaborating into a new culture. When these groups form, generally, there is a sort of renaissance. After all, it is the free thinkers who aspire to uplift their fellow man. Those who cannot be contained in a box of definition will create their own world. In most of these worlds the people will be better off. Reason being that it should go against very being of a free mind to shackle his neighbor. An open mind will always be a step ahead of one that has been filled with nonsense dogmatic views.

This is where I come into the picture...
I am not a person who can settle for mediocrity. Normality. Or average. Should anyone? Whether you believe in an after life or not, a god(s) or not, you can't think that this is all meaningless. In my opinion, the nature of those things has very little effect on how I live my life. I do not need an outside source to explain to me why something is wrong, I just know. It is in (most) of our genetic makeup to know not to do certain things. I think humans are inherently GOOD. Have you ever met a baby who does evil? (Aside from that evil smell that comes from the diaper.) I haven't. It is the environment in which we are raised that has the most influence on who we become. Sure genetics will dictate what habits you are more prone to do but in the end the greatest influence is what is around you.

I love art. I science. I love LIFE. Not just my own. But others as well. Maybe this is where a lot of us will differ. Doesn't everyone feel the kinship to all people as I do? Doesn't everyone grow upset when faced with ignorance, as I do? Is it not true that we were not meant to kill each other over material things, meaningless abstract possessions and ideas in which have no bearing on this life? Again, maybe its just me.
We as Humans are meant for something far greater than feudalistic tribal waring. The universe requires us to observe. It needs us to explore and grow. The Cosmos is an extremely large place. Lets go out and conquer it using the most magnificent weapon at our disposal: Our Imaginations.

"Exploration is in our nature. We began as wanderers... And we are wanderers still."- Carl Sagan