Why we do certain things

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Why we do certain things

Postby Moondog55 » Sat 19 Nov, 2016 2:05 pm

Talking to my brother up at PV we got to talking about living rather than just existing day to day.
We had a conversation about risk and challenges and living a full life
Chris has stage 4 cancer and just stopped chemotherapy and now is simply taking a regime of very strong pain-killers and other medications to stop the discomfort.
He asked me why I loved winter camping so much [ he has always hated the cold] and I said that we all need challenges in our lives and winter camping is the challenge I have set myself, he responded that a life without challenges and goals is a life not really worth living.
I agree; and now accept more than ever the risks associated with my preferred pastime
We had a great week-end and loved every second of the time even if it was so cloudy we didn't get a glimpse of the supermoon

How do you set your self challenges??
Do these challenges have more or less risk as you get older; accepting that extreme risk and very young kids don't really belong together
Ve are too soon old und too late schmart
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Re: Why we do certain things

Postby DarrenM » Sat 19 Nov, 2016 4:31 pm

I'm with you mate,

Do it all before you can't.
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Re: Why we do certain things

Postby davidf » Sat 19 Nov, 2016 5:25 pm

Biggest risk telling the missus you are disappearing for an indeterminant time again and your going fishing on the colo in the boat.

go fishing, anything could happen but low risk.

Hitching on the Putty Road, we fortuneatly i dont have pretty face. Maximum risk.
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Re: Why we do certain things

Postby wayno » Sat 19 Nov, 2016 5:35 pm

Do not go gentle into that good night
Dylan Thomas, 1914 - 1953

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
from the land of the long white clouds...
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Re: Why we do certain things

Postby Tai » Sun 20 Nov, 2016 7:17 am

Because we finaly can.

Now that the kids are adult and have partner, decided to retire young and enjoy a few good years doing what ever i like .

Pure luxury to be able to have the whole day belonging to me and only me.

So you young people out there, work hard and save your mula while u are young, so u can enjoy early retirement. Not everyone has the genes/luck like John Howard, who wants to work till 70.
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Why we do certain things

Postby RonK » Sun 20 Nov, 2016 9:07 am

Funny - I've had many adventures but I don't believe I've ever done anything "for the challenge".

And my goal has never been more ambitious than to live in peace and harmony - which I have managed to achieve some of (most of) the time.

I've done things that pique my interest and imagination.

Some things have proved extremely challenging, some not at all.

But that is not why I did them - it's purely incidental.

As I get older I'm less inclined to take risks - because now I'm more aware of them and more likely to consider the possible consequences.

No doubt you appreciate life more when you are close to death, whether that be by extreme exposure or natural causes.

But I've never felt the need to prove anything - even to myself, and I don't believe that these things are necessary to enjoy a fulfilling life.
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Re: Why we do certain things

Postby Snowzone » Sun 20 Nov, 2016 10:42 am

Thank you for sharing that Ted, I hope you get to share some more special moments with your brother in places you both appreciate and love.

Sometimes the risk seems to be just part and parcel and accepted as part there of. I'm not sure I take more or less risk just because I'm older. If the goal or challenge is something that means a lot to me I am more likely to take risk. Having said that some of the biggest risks I am taking in life currently have nothing to do with adventure and are more about change and facing emotional challenges in life. I find these risks tougher to face than adventurous physical risks.
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Re: Why we do certain things

Postby Moondog55 » Sun 20 Nov, 2016 11:18 am

Risk and challenge may or may not be linked. but in my case they sometimes are.
One of my biggest challenges is making a really good set of 4-Way speakers, no risk at all but the biggest intellectual challenge I have ever faced and I may never get it right.
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Re: Why we do certain things

Postby GPSGuided » Mon 21 Nov, 2016 11:14 am

Simple answer. Instinct, enjoyment and satisfaction. These do not need to correlate with risks and sacrifices as they can vary by the individual. The challenge is to do and manage the process well for a positive outcome.
Just move it!
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Re: Why we do certain things

Postby Moondog55 » Mon 21 Nov, 2016 11:18 am

GPSGuided wrote:Simple answer. Instinct, enjoyment and satisfaction. These do not need to correlate with risks and sacrifices as they can vary by the individual. The challenge is to do and manage the process well for a positive outcome.


Partly
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Re: Why we do certain things

Postby JohnStrider » Mon 21 Nov, 2016 9:18 pm

DarrenM wrote:I'm with you mate,

Do it all before you can't.


What Darren said.
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Re: Why we do certain things

Postby north-north-west » Sun 27 Nov, 2016 10:44 am

RonK wrote:Funny - I've had many adventures but I don't believe I've ever done anything "for the challenge".

And my goal has never been more ambitious than to live in peace and harmony - which I have managed to achieve some of (most of) the time.

I've done things that pique my interest and imagination.

Some things have proved extremely challenging, some not at all.

But that is not why I did them - it's purely incidental.

As I get older I'm less inclined to take risks - because now I'm more aware of them and more likely to consider the possible consequences.

No doubt you appreciate life more when you are close to death, whether that be by extreme exposure or natural causes.

But I've never felt the need to prove anything - even to myself, and I don't believe that these things are necessary to enjoy a fulfilling life.


+1

Very well said, Ron.
"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."
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Re: Why we do certain things

Postby Gadgetgeek » Sun 27 Nov, 2016 12:11 pm

I've gone a bit the opposite route to Tai, almost no definitive financial security, but I really enjoy what I do. I won't get rich off it, heck, I'll be lucky to have enough stashed aside by the time I'm 60 that I'll be able to work part time. But I really like what I do. I had a job that would have bought a house, new car, and international 5-star vacations. But it would have meant loosing a lot friends, including the most important one, and I likely would not have married her. Sure living on the road and being a stage professional would have been challenging, rewarding, and probably a lot of fun, but the cost was not one I was willing to pay. So I'll work for a non-profit, and help some kids learn about themselves. I guess that will have to be reward enough.
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