Distraction is natural and convenient, but comes with a heavy negative stigma these days. ADD is everybody's favorite thing to self diagnose and self medicate through. I think a little ADD (attention deficit disorder) is good for you and necessary for mental health. You've got to find your own personal balance between "going with the flow" and "sticking to the plan". Nobody wants to be the know-it-all, pencil-neck geek that lives, eats and breathes work. On the other hand, I never found much satisfaction in living like a total free spirit either.
My college experience has been a sort of real life laboratory for me to hone in on my personal balance. I moved to Knoxville in 2008 and have since taken breaks from school and changed my major a few times, like a few of you may have done. I have finally chosen my path and live in my own definition of harmony between the two extremes of nerd and hippy. Bookworm and party animal.
Having lived in Knoxville for five years now, I’ve been around the block a time or two. The campus and dorm life was fun for a while and served me well in its time. After a few semesters, however, I began to feel boxed in. This lead to the realization that there is much more to this scruffy little city we call home than the TRECs and Hodges Library. While working for River Sports I got the chance to see this city from a different perspective. They had me leading day trips on foot, in the saddle and even in a kayak or two. I began to see other options Knoxville offers.
Now when I get time to clock out of my new inside job, or steal away from the library, the GREAT OUTDOORS offers me a step towards my nirvana.
I've posted here photos I took on a day spent hiking right inside Knoxville. Both are only a stone’s throw away from our beloved Mrs. Meredith’s classroom. So if you get the chance I'd encourage you to do some meandering of your own.
This one is a view of Mead's Quarry, part of Ijams Nature Park and Knoxville's Urban Wilderness.
Ethan,
ReplyDeleteThis article was very interesting. I enjoy visiting the bluffs and had no idea about the city's plan to turn that area into a waterfront park. I have not visited Mead's Quarry, but it looks like somewhere I would like to go. Have you ever heard of House Mountain? Its a great place to hike a few miles outside of Knoxville. You should go try it out!!
Where does gangster fit into the balance?
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