Happiness Is Real When Shared

This is one book which I progress to just finished reading. I dont norm exclusivelyy read biography, but came across the story while doing some stochastic search on wikipedia (where one link move lead to a nonher). I really got very enkindle in the true story of this young man who ended up dying in Alaska. I went to buy the book at Kinokuniya. In 1992, a young man by the name of Christopher McCandless from a halcyon family in the US abandoned everything he possessed after graduating with honours from University. For the next both long m, he lived off the streets, travelling from place to place, living on the bare minimum.Finally, he hitchhiked to Alaska with little victuals ( except 5 pounds of rice) and equipment as he wanted to be in total isolation from kind tactual sensation and go into the wild, in his words to live off the land eating the animals he hunted and plants braggy there. He actually managed to survive for more than 100 days in Alaska with this way until a serial of unfortunate accidents that caused him to die slowly (and painfully) of starvation on an abandoned bus. His decomposed body was found more than 2 weeks later. He was only 24 at the time of demise.All this while, his family didnt know his whereabouts and was searching for him, until they received this particle of unfortunate news. In this book, Jon Krakauer explored the life of Christopher McCandless and try to understand the thoughts behind this young man who gave up everything he has in search of a life of adventure and meaning (to him), and withal how the spate around him were affected. He must had been a very charismatic person, as people he met along the way during his years on the streets really liked this guy a lot. Some actually asked him to settle down at the place he was at.But then his ultimate aim was to really live in the wild with only nature (and nothing else, human relationships was worthless to him) and commitment was the last thing on his mind. This st ory odd a very deep impression in me, not just because of the tragic circumstances environ it, but I could identify with Christopher McCandless in that at his age, I was also sort of like him. Well, I might not confuse given up all my wealth (I admit, my family wasnt as well-to-do as his) and go all the way out into the wild, but I did have certain fury or unhappiness about the way my life turned out and wanted to live a different sort of life.That was why at that time my results sort of fumbled (as I was half-hearted about the whole canvass affair to me, studying what I had no interest in was an insult to my integrity. ). I also wanted to get away from my family (which was one of the catalysts which caused Christopher McCandless to make such a decision, he was very unbalance by certain things he found out about his parents), so for a period of time I was staying in the hostel. During that time, I really planned to eventually leave my family once I have the financial means an d stay outside.In fact, after I graduated from university, I went to Malacca for a hardly a(prenominal) days all by myself to enjoy the isolation. Ha ha, until now, my parents werent aware this was what I did and I cant yet find the courage to inform them. (This is probably a secret I forget bring to my grave). Okay, this was probably not so much of an adventure, but I did derive certain tumult out of this trip. Imagine me on a free and easy trip carrying just the map and travel around (and people who know me know Ive a very, very poor sense of direction). I would not say I managed to find my sense of purpose in life during that very oblivious trip.In fact, it was years after I graduate before I realised what was really important in my life. For Christopher McCandless, towards the end of his life, realised that happiness only real when shared which is what he wrote on his journal. When he in conclusion got the isolation he yearned for in Alaska, somehow, he must have finally realised the importance of human relationships and that real happiness lies with being able to spend time with the one you care. Of course, the sad part is it came overly late as well as as he was trapped in the wilderness which he had yearned for previously.Given time, I call back he would eventually return to his family and friends. For me, after years of working (and probably maturity over the years), I also realised the importance of treasuring the time with my familiy and friends. You do not have to go to the extreme (in my case, overlook from my family) to change the state of your life. In fact, all that matters is your perception. I have to be responsible in what I do as it is not just about me, but whatever I do have repercussions on my loved ones too. I had probably hurt the people around me as much as they have hurt me.I remember there was one saying I read somewhere people may not love you the way you want them to, but that doesnt mean they dont love you. Recently, I did have the urge to go backpacking alone somewhere (of course, with the intention of not letting my parents know), but I admit I did have second thoughts after reading the book, ha ha But dont think that will last for long, as by nature, I do like to wander around I cant be trapped for too long. In the end, I guess Christopher McCandless did manage to find peace with himself. His final note written on his journal was I HAVE HAD A HAPPY LIFE AND THANK THE LORD.GOODBYE AND MAY GOD purify ALL Although he didnt manage to go back to his loved ones, he appreciated all the love bestowed upon him by them. I would like to think that he did not leave this world with some(prenominal) regret. Currently, I am reading another book by Jon Krakauer about his experience during the 1996 Mount Everest climb. some other tragic tale of how harsh nature can be. I might want to catch the impression version of Into The Wild directed by Sean Penn. Not sure if the film will evoke the aforementioned( prenominal) emotions in me (sometimes film adaptations can be disappointing).