60 years ago, two men accomplished what was and still remains today a dream for so many people, they conquered Mount Everest. 29,035 feet of perilous rock and sheer ice, for what? 20 minutes spent on top of the world snapping a few quick photos before frostbite kicks in. Why then do people do it? Why risk your life over and over? Where lays the appeal that led to this mountain being a graveyard for over 200 climbers?
A lot of people think that it's a stupid thing to risk your life for. But if it's stupid to risk your life for your dream, maybe it's okay to be stupid once in a while. There's no point having dreams if you're not going to chase them.
I can't deny that one day I would love to join that elite group of climbers who stood on the rooftop of the world, but how do I know if it's a realistic dream? When I was 15 I convinced myself that it was definitely possible for me to become a professional tennis player despite never showing aptitude or even an interest in the sport. It was crushed by my older sister later that afternoon, along with any hope for a professional swimming career. The point is; how do you differentiate between a pipedream and a realistic goal?
I do admit at this stage in my life becoming the next Serena Williams is next to impossible but I still hate to put the word impossible down. To me it seems defeatist. I like thinking that anything is possible and maybe that's what Everest represents.
Having just left school, heading off to university (touchwood) in a couple months it's almost as if the field of possibilities is narrowing. Crazy dreams being left behind for 'real life'. Choices made. The end. But that's so far from the truth! Brian Cox started out as a keyboard player for the band D:Ream before later getting his PhD in Physics; Alan Rickman had a graphic design company before getting his big acting break in his 40's and Laura Ingalls Wilder didn't publish her 'Little House on the Prairie' series until she was 64. All these people have proved that it's never too late to do whatever you want to!
The 29th May 2013 marked the 60th anniversary of the ascent of Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. In memory of this event I think everyone should follow in their footsteps (maybe not literally) and dare to dream.
Admittedly, with zero life experience I'm no way near qualified to advise the masses to quit their 9-5's to become a surf instructor in Hawaii or bongo drummer in Zimbabwe, but if you can get more out of life, why not try?
My only advice is to find your Everest, and go get it.
