Be a N00b!

That's right: be a N00b. For any gamers out there: I know its a tall order, but stick with me while I get everyone on the same page. For those of you not familiar with the term, n00b - yes, zeros and all - is an often derogatory term for someone who is new to gaming and is generally poor at all parts of it compared to the experienced player.

Now that we are on the same page, think about this: what is a n00b doing to earn that title? He or she is above all else trying something new and struggling with it. In life it is so easy to find a niche, a bit of success, and then stop. If you do that, how can you ever really achieve anything ever again?
This is not a point about success and how we can feel more of it. What it is is a reminder that what we remember at the end of the day and for years after is not the achievement at the end, but the feeling of being challenged and pushed. We remember the fear of failing.

A couple years ago, I suddenly found myself with an apartment and bills and no summer job. Immediately I kicked into crisis mode. I scoured newspapers, the Internet, friends and acquaintances looking for a  job. In a week or so I thought I had found my answer: whitewater rafting.

It seemed perfect. I had been a lifeguard and canoeing instructor and I love the water in all seasons. What could go wrong? I'd go out, learn the river, get certified, and show rich people an amazing time going down the river and get paid handsomely in the form of fistfuls of tips. Then reality decided to check-in on me. I quickly got slapped in the face by the fact that I was not built for rafting. I am not a big guy - about 5' 8" and at the time 145 lbs - and the river is a powerful force. Most of the guys(and girls) working on the river had 20 pounds on me and most of the guys were 6' 1" or 6' 2" to start. On top of the surging rapids, the boats we moved around before and after the trip weigh in around 300 lbs. They wanted me to be able to lift and throw them solo! I was in every way a n00b. The worst part was that that feeling of not measuring up, never went away. I continued to flip boats in rapids, get zero extra money, and get chewed out by my bosses. It was sobering, it was agonizing, it inspired me. It inspired me to get more fit than ever, it inspired me to reevaluate what I did with my time, it reminded me that real success never comes without really, really hard work. Most importantly, I learned not to judge people who can't do somethings as well as I can.

That's what I learned from being a n00b, but that took an entire summer. There is nothing stopping everyone of us from being a n00b for a day. A gamer could play sports with friends, a hiker can start a blog, mathematicians can try to paint. We should all experience the trial, challenges and triumphs of being new at something, at least sometimes.

What is a Navel, anyway?

 

If you are reading this, Congratulations! You have successfully found the end of the internet, my little corner where I will be sharing thoughts that will utterly fail to do anything for you in anyway whatsoever.

 That is what I expect at least. What I will try to do here at Navel-gazing for N00bs is make observations on how we live, play, and cry in a universe that probably doesn’t care. Yes, it doesn’t care, but I do and you do. For that reason we do what my professor called navel-gazing. What is navel-gazing, you ask? It’s a good question, one you will find is frustrating to pin down if you stay with me. Generally, navel-gazing is the tongue-in-cheek description of meaningless philosophizing. 

Why do we use the term? Well, your navel is a the formal name for one's belly-button. When we are young, everyone wonders where this strange thing came from, what it's for, and what it might do. Same thing philosophers do about everything - and with about as much chance of getting it right, too - and so normal people would walk by because philosophers might as well be gazing at their navels.

That’s right gamers, you are on a philosophy blog. Before you run, I am a gamer, and more to the point, I use the term N00b for a reason. So many people take themselves so seriously these days, especially gamers. 

A major point of this blog will be to explore those aspects of life that we might overlook but actually hold the possibility of improving our intellects, souls, and general well-being. When it comes to really living life and appreciating what it is to be human, we really are all n00bs.

 In earning a degree in philosophy, I found that most philosophers study the most unusual things: language, logic, war, etc. Sure, these things are important, but isn’t a walk at sunrise important as well? At the same time, I noticed that most of my friends and even family went through life everyday missing so many ironies, teachable moments, and other opportunities to deepen their experience.

So that is the entire point of this blog, to offer ideas for deepening experience in ways that will encourage critical, positive thought that might lead to greater insights into the human experience. Nothing I post will ever be for the purpose of offering a final answer. I am not a guru and hate most people who pretend to be. Instead, I will share thoughts on small things anyone can do almost any day - and often everyday - to encourage people to pay more attention  to the lives they lead and the small facets that they might otherwise miss.

Just remember, no guarantees!