So I suppose I have a few options. In analyzing critical life events here is what stands out most readily:
- My struggle with severe depression during my teenage years. Largely beginning with my parents divorce when I was about 12 and progressing until I was 18, I struggled mightily with bouts of deep, debilitating depression. This led to a slew of problems beyond simply feeling poorly about life. I think the way I molded myself during those depressed years has affected the man I am today greatly; I became consistent in social contact, preferring more of a "hermit" lifestyle to avoid unnecessary social interaction; I began to writing poetry feverishly as an emotional vent; and, to put it simply, I made some very poor decisions.
- My rediscovery of the outdoors in my sophomore year of college during a two week trip to Utah, during which I regained motivation for completing college and experienced a variety of interesting phenomena that occur when you place a group of 24 people in close quarters for an extended period of time.
- The benefits and detriments of growing up in a very, very small town in rural WV. Graduating in a class of 29, knowing every person you run into, and being completely unable to escape rumor and judgement.
- My realization that, after 3 months of training and over 4 months of living off and on in a tent and my car, I don't really want to be a full-time outdoor professional, as I spent a large portion of junior college spring/summer training to be a whitewater rafting guide.
So I suppose I need to choose a path to walk: emotional, humorous, informative, or adversity?
I will assume that I do not need to make a decision this week. If anyone stumbles onto this page and wants to provide input, I'm open to thoughts and ideas.
After reading all of your ideas I like the emotional path because it seems to have the most interesting dramatic question. I believe the dramatic question for it would be "What are the poor decisions he made?". It adds a bit of mystery and most people do enjoy a sad story and coming through that into a wonderful ending.
ReplyDeleteHere's a question??? Of the above mentioned possible paths... "On which path do we discover who we really are and what we're really made of?" This may path may be the best one for You, maybe not the easiest, but the one that will lead you on all the other paths of life... (sorry sooooo deeeeep) (not really)
ReplyDeleteCorey I think if your comfortable talking about your past it would be a great dramatic question about how you were struggling but found your way! I really like how you show your struggle but have such a profound turning point! I honestly would not know from knowing you that you see yourself as a Hermit. You are so outgoing at work I never would have guessed! Glad I got to read this and learn more about you!
ReplyDeleteCorey, There are several powerful stories here. I think it is interesting that you found healing power in the outdoors but ultimately that your life work is not working in the outdoors. I think the dramatic question might be: How can nature help us discover who we really are. Focus on that trip to Utah. What specifically did you experience that made you move from withdrawing from human contact to knowing that you need it.
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