Nomad
- S. A. Gibbs
- Jan 29, 2017
- 2 min read
“When you walk aimlessly, you follow a trail that eventually leads to yourself.” Mike Mikkelsen, The Neo Generalist
I have always enjoyed periods of quiet, when I’m able to think, read and write. I guess that’s why I like driving. There is so much noise in our world today that quite becomes as important to me as food, and wine. Well, maybe not the later. But at the risk of sounding like a misanthrope, I also like to be around people. I like to socialize, as long as the group is small and the conversation is, well, a conversation, not a debate. Given the politics of our world today, that’s not always easy. Which brings me back to the love of solitary walks, drives and conversations with myself.
In his book The Neo-Generalist, Mike Mikkelsen’s statement resonates with me; how do we achieve a sense of belonging, while simultaneously giving expression to our own identity? How do we accept uniqueness rather than imposing uniformity? How do we maintain mental agility? This challenge becomes increasingly difficult when you may still be searching for your own identity. Hello! Are you listening? I’m trying to say something important here! I don’t mean you; I’m talking to myself.
In a previous post, I referenced a small group of men that meet once a month to discuss our respective travels. At our last meeting, I quoted another passage from Mikkelsen’s book; “when you walk aimlessly, you follow a trail that eventually leads to yourself.” I presented this passage as an accurate depiction of my life at present. A member of the group, one who knows me the best, commented that he doesn’t see my wandering as aimless. In fact, he argued that I am following a clear direction with purpose. Maybe he’s right.
In many ways I am a nomad, a wanderer on an important journey to figure things out. What is becoming increasingly clear is that there is no end-point, a place where I can announce that I have arrived. It’s the journey that matters, a process of continuous evolution. I need to accept this reality, embrace it, and enjoy it. I know this may be difficult for those who are part of my life. They may not get it, but they have to accept it. And if you see me sitting alone, book in hand, laptop opened, or just staring aimlessly, don’t be afraid. It’s not that I don’t like conversations with others; I’m just in a deep conversation with myself.
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