[pct-l] Contributing to Common Ground

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

I remember slowly coming to realize that my hike was not selfish. It  
was not even completely mine. The people I met who gave me rides and  
helped me a long the way were so grateful to me for what I was doing,  
for reminding them of dreams they meant to fulfill someday or  
bringing back memories of adventures they had forgotten over the  
years. Some saw in me possible answers to their own current problems,  
even though I really had no answers and didn't offer what I was doing  
as any kind of solution to anything. Most people were just really  
happy to meet someone doing something they always wanted to do and  
getting a little information on how to do it so they could start  
planning their own adventure. People followed my blog online as I  
hiked and said that I brought them something to look forward to in  
their own lives mired in workaday stuff. Your hike serves a purpose  
that isn't all about you.
On Mar 11, 2012, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
>
> Hey Miss Information,  Day_Late here -  remember me from '09.
>
> I think this is a great idea but I did have one issue with what you  
> said.
>
>  to quote:
>
> "There
> were times when I felt as if I wasn't contributing to the world  
> around me
> though, and that bothered me. I imagine that there may be people  
> who want
> to undertake a long hike, but may be stopped by a feeling that to  
> do such a
> thing is "too selfish" to justify. "
>
>  All I can say is that if more people started contributing a bit  
> less and
> instead went out and did something to improve who they are the  
> world would
> need many less contributors.
>
> If I hadn't been thru hiking, like you in 2009, I would have been  
> working.
> Works great and all,  but in the grand scheme of things every I do  
> at work
> will end up in the landfill within 20 years.  Spending 5 plus  
> months on the
> PCT (and 5+ on AT too) has transformed me into a better person.   
> The value
> to me and probably to society as well has been increased by my thru  
> hikes.
>
> We thru hikers should realize that we are soooo lucky and  
> privileged to be
> able to do what we do.  At my workplace I regularly have folks come  
> up to
> me to discuss my ability to take 6 months off and go do something I  
> love.
> With few exceptions most people just can't truly imagine the
> possibilities.  They haven't yet learned what is really important  
> in life.
>
> Day-Late