The answer to this question is so incredibly complex that I really didn’t even know where to start thinking about it. So I did what every reasonable person would do. I asked a kid. And not just any kid, a middle-school-aged Nicaraguan orphan. I presented my question to this child in broken Spanish and so enjoyed the philosophical thought on the child’s face, that I asked every kid I met in Nicaragua (at least the ones I could get to slow down long enough). Then I met a homeless guy on the streets of Managua, so of course I asked him. Let it be noted that not until much later did it dawn on me to ask my fellow-travelers (most of whom where middle- to upper-class gringo Americans).

I received so many varied responses from the Nicaraguans. Some kids told me a man should have a job, a house, a wife, several kids and a car. Some said money. Others said a family. One or two smiled and said love. Jose, the homeless gentleman I met in Managua said that everyman should have food, shelter and love. On a bus ride back to the orphanage one evening, I posed my question to a 8 or 9 year-old. Without blinking, he answered simply, “Jesus.”

It has been over two years since that trip and, every once in a while I find myself asking that question of a stranger or friend. I want to formalize that question a bit and record some of the answers I get during my adventures around town. If you feel like playing along at home, please feel free to post your answer to the question.

the question is: What do you think a man or woman needs to live?

Over the next week or so, I’ll be posting answers that I get as I adventure around town. Stay tuned to new posts…

From Humpback Rocks

The other day my friend James and I made the drive up to the Blue Ridge Parkway in the dark and hiked the short trail up to the top of Humpback Rocks. We arrived to the summit just in time to watch the first lines of light chase away the lingering stars. Fog clung to the surrounding mountains and reflected the changing colors of the rising sun.

As we sat and drank in the whole scene, we wondered aloud about the big questions in our lives: what were the next steps (more school, jobs, marriage, faith, etc.) for us? It was as if the grand scale of the moment drew our thoughts outside of that singular morning to the broader scope of our lives on this earth. As our conversation wandered (occasionally interrupted by awed comments at the slow-motion fireworks painted on the lightly-clouded sky), we challenged each other to never become stagnant in life; to never stop exploring (to steal from North Face).

Several weeks ago James and I made the commitment to meet up once a week to catch up and hang out. However, instead of just grabbing a bite to eat or a cup of coffee, we decided that we should go on a new ‘adventure’-something different (and outside of our comfort zone)- each week. This sunrise trek was one of these adventures.

So, as I rethought this blog and considered returning to writing regularly, I was drawn to this idea of adventures. I renamed the Blog “Adventures in Context” because I think every adventure gives us the opportunity to explore new reaches of ourselves and the worlds in which we live. I’m excited to be posting about my adventures.

Low clouds spill over surrounding mountains

*sorry, pictures are low-quality bc they were taken from my phone.

I worry so often that I won’t have enough [money/food/etc] for myself. These worries prevent me from sharing or giving to those in need. Especially monetarily, I usually plan my giving so that there will be more than enough left over to cover my needs and more. When I read this verse I felt both convicted and excited. GOD does provide enough. In fact, my life has been full of moments when GOD has provided more than enough for me. Yet I still hoard my resources and shy away from giving due to selfish worries.

The thing I love about this verse is that GOD not only showers us with enough to meet our need, but also enough so that we may “abound in EVERY GOOD WORK.” That blows my mind. According to this scripture, I’m called to give freely with full confidence that the LORD will provide above and beyond what I need or expect.

China just made a great environmental decision. They’ve announced that they’re going force stores to charge for plastic shopping bags. I think its a phenomenal idea. Why isn’t America doing it? Apparently a number of remote villages in Alaska and the city of
San Francisco have made similar moves to cut down on plastic bag waste. I’d love to see more US citizens push our local and federal governments to make environmental choices like this one that China has made.

For Christmas my aunt gave me a Chico Bag. Picking one of these up is a small step that individuals can take towards cutting down on  plastic bag waste. Check out ChicoBag.com for more.

This is the sort of care for the earth, the Creation, that we should be moving towards. Humanity as a whole should start to view itself more as the steward of the earth.

I found this quotation several weeks ago and was excited by its insightful and intelligent view on exploration. As one who is planning a life of exploration and preparing to undertake a fairly large expedition (see Under One Sky entry) I appreciate the take on journeys. I think in a lot of ways, my journey from Alaska to Argentina is about developing a better way to look at the world in which I live. I want to go and see the world not because I believe the rest of the world will be so unique from my experience, but because I believe there will be incredible similarities. These similarities will perhaps increase my understanding of the human experience. Thus, when I arrive at the place I started, I will see the place in a new light.

DISCLAIMER: I’ve read the Four Quartets several times now and, like much of Eliot’s poetry, have come nowhere near a clear grasp of its true literary depths. However, I think this reading and insight is the beginning of a new infatuation with his work. I look forward to rereading this piece for years to come… especially on my journey ahead.