walking the road

Yesterday I was headed to town to the local market on my way to feed a friend's horse. As I was coming into Pescadero flats I saw a young man walking on the side of the road headed my way. He was hitchhiking, and as I slowed down to pick him up I saw that he had a small sign that said "When did we stop trusting people". He works at one of the local Environmental Education programs here in the Santa Cruz Mountains. 

We talked for the 15 minute ride down to Pescadero, his name is Mark and he is in his early 20's. He was so full of idealism and the energy to change the world. I remember being that way. After I dropped him off and continued on my way to do some food shopping, I began thinking about why that energy seems to fade over the years, I know it has in me to an extent. Had I learned that the nail that sticks up gets hammered down and simply adjusted my actions, or had I spent the time to learn to see from other sides of topics I was passionate about? 

When I was Mark's age I was definitely opinionated. I railed on against things like hunting, evangelical Christianity, human rights abuses. Now keep in mind I did not actually do much to change those things, I was more of a vocal challenger of ideas than an activist. I still have a lot to say on the world today, and often come across as a tad passionate about stories in the news, just as my girlfriend.

So, why do many of us "loose" our passion or energies around topics we are so passionate about as young people? Is it taught to us? Are we domesticated as we grow older? If you look around at the people in your life, how many are still as energized about life, and sucking the marrow out of each day? I had a chance to work with a group of 6th graders last week and being around their energy and zest for being a kid was an amazing tonic to be around. I highly recommend hanging out with kids for everyone who is feeling a little jaded about life.