the core

The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.

Christopher McCandless, the guy who inspired the book and the film Into the Wild, said this in a letter to a friend that he met during his travels.

It's a great story and McCandless is an incredibly intriguing and complex character. His journey and philosophy are particularly inspiring for someone about to set off on an extended trip, but there are many who think that he was a idiot; an idealist who underestimated mother nature while overestimating his ability to survive in the wilderness.

I think he was onto something though. I think it's a stretch to say that adventure is at the core of every human spirit. But I think if it is there, it's important not to ignore it. It's interesting to note that relationships really took a back seat for McCandless. He was an idealist and I think he was looking to nature to fill the gaps left by significant broken or disappointing relationships, namely with his parents.

Although it is unlikely, if I were to tattoo this quote onto my chest, I think I'd add something about good relationships. It's a facet of my life in which I have a lot to learn but I'm hoping there's a cuddly combine driver in the States waiting to impart his knowledge to me in this respect.