Chasing an Epiphany

Essays
Written By Nathan Box

At the age of 30, the question needing to be answered is: Can you create a space for an epiphany or does it have to happen when you least expect it? 

An epiphany is a sudden realization of an obvious truth. These realizations usually occur when we least expect it. As our minds wrestle with some grand issue, an epiphany comes on like a breath of fresh air. It points us in the direction we are to go. In our moment of discomfort, we discover truth or at the very least a way to unlock the truth. 

This raises another question worth exploring: If faced with a moment of discomfort, with the prospect of little direction, can we change the source of discomfort in an effort to discover some meaning? An example being; If faced with the prospect of very few job opportunities and no way out, could an extended hike down the California Coast foster the environment that would be ripe for an epiphany? 

This is what I am wrestling. Do I keep searching or do I radically change directions? I could make a Pro and Con list filled with reasons for both. I could weigh my options. I could seek some insight. All of which, I will do. I will do all these things in an effort to answer some fundamental truths about myself; Who am I? What do I want from this life? How am I going to go about attaining it? I firmly believe only an exercise of discomfort can bring about the answer. Only in this zone, can I find the truth. Now, it becomes about measuring extremes. It may also be about taking stock of who I am as a man. 

 

Thanks for entering my world, 

-Nathan 

Nathan Box
Hello! My name is Nathan. I've always believed I would meet that special someone in one of two places; either a record store or a book store. Maybe I need to amend? I moved to Seattle in February of 2011 from Oklahoma City (Try and not hold the Sonics/Thunder thing against me). I knew I wanted to work for a nonprofit and go to grad school. Within a couple of months, I was doing both. During the day, I work as a Fund Developer and Community Relations Manager for a nonprofit in Kent and at night I try to stay as busy as possible volunteering, trying new restaurants, finding hidden bars and exploring Seattle. The past few years has been both terrifying and exhilarating. I have done things on my own I didn’t think were within my capability. I love being outdoors. On any given weekend, I can be found hiking, on a road trip, volunteering, at a museum, seeing a movie (I see a lot of them). I am passionate about nonprofit work. I feel called to leave a mark on this world. Nothing against those who enjoy making tons of money, I just need to know I am making a difference.
natetheworld.squarespace.com
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