That time chasing a sunset taught me a lesson
I went to Bic, in the lower part of the river a few weeks ago. I left on a Friday afternoon in a van, with a deflated air mattress in the back. After a stop to get a repair kit and patch up the hole, I set off again.
After a 4-hour drive, fatigue began to catch up with me, and I started looking for a spot for the night. I found the dream spot in a park by the river in Cacouna.
I woke up to the sound of birds and the low tide; it was so beautiful that we could see the Charlevoix mountains on the other side of the St. Lawrence. After taking a few photos and a coffee break, we set off for Parc du Bic. We spent the day there, then headed to another place I had spotted a few weeks earlier during a trip to Gaspésie. The place is magical for sunsets, and we were lucky; that day was perfect, with beautiful weather and a few clouds.
The scene was unreal, and I've seen my fair share of sunsets, but this one ranks in my top 5. It's really close to rivaling those of my dear hometown.
But I must say that the highlight of this adventure was the reflection I had on the way back. During the 5-hour drive, I pondered why I always feel the need to do things like this.
Why do I always want to explore new spots, have new experiences?
Will I ever quench this seemingly unquenchable thirst for adventure?
I consoled myself by thinking that it's better than wanting more material possessions. Without realizing it, I had put myself in a box I considered superior because I didn't see myself like those other people who always want more material things and show them off.
Turns out I'm just like them. I'm not better than "those others," I'm exactly like them. It was a humbling moment, I finally understood with my whole being that we're all in the same boat. The boat of human nature, which often proves stronger than us, pushing us to always want more and not settle for what we have. The "more" is different for each of us, but ultimately the desire is the same.
I'm no longer sure that it's a bad thing in itself. After all, it's often this desire for more that pushes me to surpass myself, to face my fears and not settle for where I am. I guess it's all about balance.
Wanting more, yes, if it allows me to evolve, to learn, to exceed my limits, to become a better version of myself. But also appreciating what I already have and being happy with it, where I am, and the journey I've traveled.
This reminds me of the lessons from Irvin B William's Stoic philosophy (which I highly recommend). One of his lessons focuses precisely on realizing that the life we lead is probably the life someone else dreams of having. And in that sense, we're already living a dream life. When I think about it, I am indeed living a dream life. I have everything a human being needs to flourish. My basic needs are met, I have a job I love, even if I sometimes complain about it, and I have the chance to go on these little adventures that recharge me so much. What more can I ask for? More adventures and more moments with my friends and family.
So, I'm not entirely sure what the moral of my story is. There are several, I think.
The first is that we're much more alike than we think. Your passions and opinions may differ from mine, but I'm not better than you; we're different on the surface but closer than we let on.
Wanting more, yes, but also taking the time to appreciate what we already have. If you are able to read this, you are one of the most fortunate people on this earth, even if you don't feel that way. It takes time and effort to train our mind to be content with where we are. Our minds' default mode is to not be satisfied but the good news is, you can change that !
Stay wild & don't forget to appreciate the moment