Our American culture, now spreading world wide, makes it challenging to make the choice between “Stuff” and “Experiences”. My main computer has been down since my return from my most recent journey through eastern Africa and I cannot yet transfer the huge amount of files that need to be edited. So, I have been taking care of the all the other daunting task that need my attention. One of the hardest parts of this journey is the huge amounts of time that can be required of me sitting in front of my computer….I am a very social person so I find this type of isolation challenging. One of my favorite people recently sent me this……..
I am lucky that my home base is in southern California where the weather is generally nice year round (actually it has been unusually cold for months this winter..ugh) so I can grab my laptop, hop on my bike, ride down to the beach and relocate my office to have an ocean view for a few hours. But, for the times I am trapped in my loft at my computer I listen to such things from TED talks, photography podcast, inspirational speakers and the likes, to keep from going mad!! One message that kept coming up this past week was experiences vs stuff and having the courage to make the choice, or rather that is my interpretation. Unfortunately having courage does not mean being fearless and it is that fear that stops people from taking the risk to do what it is they really want to do.
I listen to Amy Purdy, a world champion female adaptive snowboarder, ask the question “If you were the author, what would your story be.” I listen to Scott Bourne, a professional photographer, talk about the layer who always wanted to be a cake baker but instead did what he thought he could not what he truly desired to do… and state “that is a life wasted”. I listen to, David Hoffman, a documentary film maker, talk about how he lost everything in a fire including a lot of his still and film footage… this really resonated as we all know that stuff can be gone in a moment, but memories last a lifetime. Then I went for a walk down to the marina where I took this photograph with my iphone of all these boats and yachts just sitting in their slips.
I assumed most of the owners are at work and I then wondered how many of these boats sit here over ninety percent of the time? Giving up such things that took so much time and effort to acquire is hard, this I understand perfectly. As I share my journey of transition I wish I could tell these choices are easy and don’t sweat it, but I cannot.
My choice to pursue my passion has not come without a price, how big or small has yet to be determined, but so far I am making it happen so that means it is possible for you to make it happen. It would be dishonest to say that at times I pass by stores and don’t long for the freedom I use to have to just go in and buy whatever I wanted….more stuff… a new leather couch or the latest and greatest patio furniture would be fabulous. But, if I have to make the choice between stuff and experiences… what I can tell you for certain…is no one thing has ever made me more excited, feel more alive, or made me more happy than when I am on Safari in Africa, whether it is wildlife or cultural. AND no one fear is greater than the fear of getting to an age where I look back and realize I did not have the courage to make the sacrifice to live the life I really wanted…and now it is too late……….
Here is the image made with my iphone with the view I had while writing this post…….
I encourage you to make those hard choice to pursue what really fills your soul….
Below are the links to the stories of
Scott Bourne interview- scroll down to Episode #13
Wonderful post! There’s a lot of food for thought here. Thanks for sharing! I look forward to seeing new photos from your latest adventures.
Piper, I always thought it interesting that when explorers in the South Pacific came across indigenous peoples the natives would ask why the explorers had so much “cargo”. That phrase became the old saw about islands having cargo cults. Actually, these native had no idea of property or ownership and could not conceive of “owning” so much “cargo” and why anyone would need it. I admire you for your insight and your career chaise. But as Darth Vader told Luke Skywalker, “It is too late for me”. The Navajo’s had me pegged – ” a man who raises a family right will never be rich”.
Thanks Piper for the insights and the truth about the struggles you go through. I can relate about the desire to have stuff, the pull that beautiful things have over me. But I am so glad that I went for the dream about having kids. It’s been the most fulfilling thing I’ve done though it’s not without it’s headaches and sacrifices. But would I change things, no way! I’m still hoping that we can have some of the stuff, carefully chosen and wisely procured AND follow our dreams. Love all your work. Miss seeing you on a daily basis….
Patty
You have always touched my heart and been a mentor for what is truly important in life. I know your choices were difficult but I also have seen the true happiness it has brought you!! It is the support and examples of dearest friends like you that give me the strength to continue on this amazing journey. GOD BLESS YOU!!
Piper
I choose EXPERIENCES……I think I have always made that choice. How very easy it is to fall off that belief, though. Life is so hurried….but, every once in a while, we get a reminder….maybe just a simple one, from nature itself….the sun has a way of commanding our worship. I love the way it sneaks through a hot window in winter or spring, warming your forearm….letting you know it’s coming, that soon the buds on the trees will appear, and the early spring flowers are working hard to come back to the surface of the earth…..and to follow will be the rhythm we all crave…..the sound of the surf crashing while we slip in and out of a twilight euphoria while resting in the sand…only to spring up and run into those waves and float on top and under that frothy white crest….come out and dry off with a thin crackly layer of salt…… AWESOME!!!!!!!! LOL!
My latest experience was Africa with you, my friend….and while the WHOLE is undeniably, one of my greatest….the moment I will NEVER forget is when you asked me to remember to put the camera down…..and take it in, all of it. The best advice, I have received in yrs…..the simple reminder…. from you, to take in the nature around me…..thank you…..I choose EXPERIENCE….
I enjoy your blog. Nice stuff, very thought provoking…..Dave
Excellent post Piper. When I am back home I have a boat in a marina like that and I use it constantly. I can attest to the fact that most of the boat owners let their boats sit and maybe use them 4 times per year. It’s so sad knowing those people are working so hard so they can buy expensive stuff and then have to store their stuff and clean their stuff and maintain their stuff, but they never really use their stuff. Lots of people have debt on their stuff too. It’s inspirational that there are people out there like you who live the life they want to have.
We all know that happiness is not about stuff but about experiences and people around us. But is it not so easy to let it go and pay the price of following your dream, kudos for doing it!
Love your “photographer” photos…SO true! When I left my “real” job to start my photography business I cried tears of joy because I knew I would never grow old and wonder “what if…” In the end, stuff does not amount to anything, but clutter. 🙂 Keep up the great work!