Ideas in a Trivia #5: Into the Wild

If you haven’t seen the movie “Into the wild”, please do so at the earliest opportunity. It’s based on a very liberating real life story of Christopher McCandless, a young 24 year old college grad who detests the ways of the society, throws away everything and goes into the wilderness in Alaska. The movie tracks his journey that spanned over 2years before he finally reaches Alaska.

This movie triggered a thought that our academic and growing up years which are really the formative years of a human being should be used to do some interesting, non routine things to expose people to rich experiences that will help us develop a very holistic view of the world around us.

Some things that all of us should probably do before turning 30,

1. Work at least 2 years in the armed forces
2. Stay 6 months absolutely alone cutting off all contacts (preferably in wilderness)
3. Stay 6months with relatives, preferably in a big joint family
4. Learn at least one sport very well
5. Learn at least one art very well (music, painting, magic etc)
6. Work 3 months for a company full time for ‘zero’ pay
7. Live with people who have very contrasting background, nature and outlook
8. Live in a village
9. Learn to cook your own food, wash dishes and clothes
10. Practice Meditation (without attaching any religious context to it)
11. Do part time jobs and earn you own school fee for at least 1yr of school or college
12. Make at least one good friendship (platonic) in the opposite sex
13. Be absolutely silent for one full week every year
14. Make friendship with one elderly person
15. Learn about the government and laws of the land