August 14, 2004

• Topic: Looking ahead

  
  

  So, I drove my Israeli friend Ilan to the airport today.  I just dropped him off, if I actually went into the terminal with him and waited, I definately would have cried my eyes out.  Ilan was different than any friend I’ve ever had, and as he left today with his Israeli girlfriend to Miami, then on to hitchike Central America, I realized that he influenced me.  He affected how I view the world, and I’ll never be able to undo the ideas he gave me.

  
  

  Ilan showed me what’s possible.  He showed me that there are people who also are consumed with what’s wrong with society, and who spend their lives living and thinking outside of the norm, and as a result, are extremely happy with their lives.  We were discussing my book, and the question came up, if I didn’t spend $120,000 on a college diploma, what would I do with the money.  I reversed the question, and Ilan answered, “I wouldn’t change a thing.”  And as cliche as it sounds, I know he genuinely meant it.  He went on to say, “the more money people have, the more problems they have,” just like the famous rap song with the same lyrics. 

  
  

  The secret to happiness is held by those who are happy.  All we need to do is listen.  I think that’s what I’ll take away most from Ilan.  Not only don’t we need a lot of money, but money only serves as a distraction.  I asked him, “wouldn’t you go out to fancy restaurants?” and he responded, “I prefer the satisfaction of cooking my own food and having people over my house.  I don’t really like the structure of eating at a restaurant, things are more free at home.”  And it made perfect sense. 

  
  

  I’ve also realized today, every experience has it’s good and bad sides.  You can find pleasure in life from both rich and poor things.  So, why not work less and enjoy the poor things?  Enjoy having to sleep on friends couches, instead of being lonely in your own apartment.  Enjoy having friends over for an extended dinner where conversations run into the night, instead of one that ends staring at the cost of that extra bottle of wine.  Ilan made me realize not only that I wasn’t alone in my thinking, but, on some level, that i’m right.  I’m right in the argument of “does money matter.”  At least, a person should live without money for some time so that they can understand and appreciate what it is to not have.  Again, the key is balance. 

  
  

  Oh…and last night I had a dream about Wash U.  I was back on campus, but recognized nothing, and nobody.  Everything had changed, everyone moved on, and I was there, and it was creepy as hell.  I wanted desperately to leave, but, I think, I know I need to be there.  I re-read a journal entry from April that I wrote while instructing an Outward Bound course, and I said from Sept-Nov, I would be promoting my book at Washington U., and somehow, I haven’t strayed much from the course set back then, and so, despite the strong as hell temptation to follow my friends travelling around, I will stay the course.

  
  

  And…I went to an outdoor store today, and was suddenly reminded of the adventures I’ve had when attached to Outward Bound, and decided that in the next few months, I need to take on a major outdoor expedition, either kayaking, hiking, biking, or who knows what, but maintaining physical shape and spending time in nature are things that are as much a part of me as anything.

  
  

  9 friends leaving tom., 4 friends arriving, i’m out for the night.

  
  

  -dan

  • 11:37 pm
  • 2 Comments