What’s About to Go Down
We decided to take on a few challenges during August so, guess what? It’s Challenge Yourself month at NVR. Woohoo!
Lately, it seems that many members of our online communities (Human Resources, etc.) are bickering all over social media. Whenever we see that going on, we can’t help but wonder what drives people to put so much time and energy into petty fights, focusing on what everybody else is doing (instead of themselves) and, well, living life online rather than living life.
We love the social aspect of our NVR life, but *doing* – moving life forward – is of paramount importance to us.
So, in keeping to that, here’s what’s shaking this month. After we get Denver out of our world (yes, we’re here again), it’ll be time to get one last outdoors-y fix this summer.
Although we’ve actually already done it once (in June), we’re heading back out into the wilderness. This time, it’s our annual camping and hiking adventure. It’s our only travel tradition, and the thing we look forward to most all year. As always, we’ll be heading for our favorite corner of the world and seeing what hikes we can check off the list.
That’s where the first two challenges come in.
We’ll be trying to hit two informal National Park landmark challenges by completing five specific hikes in five days. These hikes, alone, will have us on various trails for over 50 miles. What about the other 10 days? It’ll be our most aggressive hiking schedule ever.
We’ll keep you posted.
Another reason why we enjoy this particular yearly adventure is because we like to fold in some kind of advocacy element. We call it advo-camping.
We’re still on fire about the fact that 1 billion world citizens are chronically hungry, so our advo-camping efforts will focus on getting the word out about what we can all do to be part of the solution. We’re all connected as world citizens, so we have to watch out for one another. That many people going hungry is just wrong.
This challenge is all about talking to a yet-to-be-determined number of people as we hike and camp our way around. We’ll give you full details and keep you posted on that as well.
Finally, we are 95% sure we are going to accept a challenge that will significantly change the way we we view our own food consumption. We’re giving ourselves until the 15th to think about it. But, here again, you’ll be the first to know how things shake down.
That’s what our August looks like for now.
What about you? Do you want to join us in a self imposed challenge? Come up with something and let us know. Whatever you do, don’t let the gravity that is social media pull you into just talking about life and not living it fully.
For all the time, I spend on social media sites. I am sure I could walk the length of many countries in a month!! Good luck on your new challenge. I wish I could get out and about again but the traveling fund is low.
Social media is already like a drug. The last thing we all need is to be arguing via social media. When a colleague wanted us to weigh in on a petty, unproductive debate, we had a bit of a reawakening and reasserted our commitment to not getting sucked in to social media (especially when it’s pointless stuff) even further.
I am excited to see what it unfolding here, especially with this upcoming possible food challenge. I am intrigued. I am extremely excited for you both. One of my favorite things to do is hike and it sounds like you have quite the adventure ahead of you. ENJOY!
Thanks, Meg. We’ll write about each element. Stay tuned.
So, explain advocamping to us…
I’d already decided to make August an alcohol-free month (mostly to see if I sleep better, but also just because I like to make goals, regardless of how pointless
). After reading this post, I’ve decided to donate the $$ I save by not imbibing to the San Antonio Food Bank on September 1. Thanks for the inspiration, guys.
Wow… that’s very cool! You’ll feed a lot of families
Stay tuned for details on our advo-camping.
Can’t wait to see what you guys have in store..you inspire me so very much! : )
Thanks, Marsha!
Sounds like a full schedule for sure guys. That is a ton of hiking!
My personal challenge this summer has been to cut down on alcohol, coffee, and increase my fruit & vegetable intake to 50% of what I consume.
So far it’s been working great — have way more energy these days.
But… arguing is fun!
You’re wise to pull yourself away from that stuff.
That hiking schedule sure does sound aggressive. Can’t wait to hear the details about the advo-camping adventure. My main local community goal is to finally get involved with a volunteer clean-up organization I’ve been hearing about.
Cool to read you are going to join a clean up group. Keep us posted.
Oh, and we pegged you as a big arguer. You’re so confrontational
Wow! You have got me on the edge of my seat now. You guys rock!
Thanks for being an inspiration, Deb.
Your wilderness trip sounds wonderful. I love to hike, and I haven’t been doing it much lately because of work. I think I’ll try to do five hikes this month, especially as it’s such a great time of year to be outdoors in the Pacific Northwest.
5 hikes? That’s ambitious – good going!
You. Are. So. Glamorous.
Love it! Keep it up and keep us posted!
Thanks, Lillie – we will!
Whenever I travel, I like to be free of mobile phones and other electronic gadgets. I dont like to social media while I am travelling. Looking forward to your adventures of August! Have a wonderful week ahead
Thank you, Arti.
A hiking challenge sounds fun. I’ve let myself get out of hiking shape, which I didn’t realize until this weekend when I had to hike up a one mile hill. I love that you guys are also on a mission to spread the word about world hunger. Go NVR team!
Thanks, Christy. We really do feel so lucky to have all the comforts of modern society. The least we can do is help those that don’t.
I’m interested in hearing about the project that you may choose to participate in regarding your food consumption. Guess I’ll have to wait and see how that one pans out! Looking forward to seeing how your project goes, too. One billion going hungry is just so wrong, especially given all the food that we waste and the perfectly good stuff that gets thrown out for not looking perfect.
You gents and your hiking, though! Remind me never to go on a hiking trip with you and allow me to sit at base camp so you can regale me with the glorious tales and photographs afterwards.
More details coming next week!
I just had a conversation this week about how much of a waste of energy it is to keep complaining about what other people are doing. Love your message about focusing on your own actions. Have fun in the wilderness!
It’s a total time suck, isn’t it. We are both constantly reevaluating our relationships with social media and negativity.