What is Life about?

This is a post in response to an article in the GlobeandMail.com about an Extreme Skier that died and the merits, or lack thereof, of extreme risk.

‘It's not what we do. It's who we are.'

Rick C for Canada is BANG on! There are many that live long, empty, unproductive lives. They never challenge themselves, never takes risks, never venture beyond their comfort level. To me, that is not living at all.

There are those that can only see danger, fear and problems in the world and think the world is a terrible place. That is not living. Others can only point out what might happen, what could have gone wrong. The pre-occupation many have with what could have gone wrong is tedious and tiresome.

So something did go wrong this time. Does that mean we should all run and take cover, never take any risks, never be daring or bold? If humanity had done that, we would still be living in caves.

Many speak of his family and criticize his decision to take risks. How arrogant your presumption. Perhaps his kid's fate is to grow up without their father and in doing so they may find an inner strength they otherwise might not have discovered and go on to do great things. Who are we to say?

Many say life is precious. I say LIVING is precious. It is only after one lets go of one's over-exaggerated fear of death that we can truly begin to live.

Second Response:

Tasem Ebro from Canada writes: "There's that silver lining thing again! By Martin's logic children should lose their parents and discover some hitherto untapped inner strength, or something"

Tasem, no one said children SHOULD loose their parent, but one deals with the hand one is given. But there is a choice how one deals with adversity. I think it arrogant and self righteous for anyone to assume anything about another's fate.

I suspect those that read this and like Tasem, come to the conclusion that this man's life was wasted and there is no point to risking yourself, have unremarkable lives themselves. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with that, if that is your choice. But just because you don't understand the choice of some to put themselves in harms way, does not mean their choice is any less valid than yours.

Our society is build on dreamers, risk takers both intellectual and physical. How would our world be different if Einstein had not pushed the boundaries of human thought, or Galileo? What about Sir Edmond Hillary, or Astronauts like Neil Armstrong, activists like Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks or Gandhi?

All had the courage to see beyond what was, beyond fear and small thinking to see what could be. And the world is a better place for it.