"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today" James Dean

In the past few weeks I’ve had two young girls, on two separate occasions, tell me that they look up to me and consider me a “hero”. But should they? While it’s flattering to have someone respect you on that level, it’s also intimidating knowing that you’re now responsible for setting standards for a young, impressionable person. Would I tell those girls to forgo the security and stability of the American Dream (then again, is anything stable in the States right now)? Would I advise them to give up love in order to pursue their dreams? It doesn’t matter how strong and independent we are; at some point in our lives, we all just want someone to love us. I had that. I had a wonderful man that loved me and I walked away in order to follow the passion that has spanned my lifetime: marine conservation and animal rights. In the past 16 months I have found myself in nearly every situation that young women in the States are encouraged to shy away from. I’ve experienced divorce, solo travel in countries around the world, death threats from the Yakuza, aggressive attack by Tunisian fisherman. I’ve lived at sea, been pursued by the media and somehow always seem to find myself walking foreign cities at night in the rain. I’ve broken someone’s heart and in exchange I had my heart broken. But would I change any of it? No, I wouldn’t. And would I recommend it to anyone else? If it’s what they desire then yes, I would recommend it. This life I am currently living is something that I never imagined I would experience. However, it’s a life that I’ve dreamed of since I was a small child. When I was growing up there was no one to look up to, no one to really call a hero. Animal activism was but a whisper compared to what it is now. I didn’t have a hero but I wish I had. Perhaps if I had then it would not have taken me 29 years to create this life for myself. If I can provide these girls, or anyone out there, with some sort of direction or offer them guidance in any way, then everything I’ve sacrificed has been worth it. My activist life, while lonely at times and dangerous at others, is a life that suits me and my passions. I am living proof that it, whatever ‘it’ may be for you, is totally and completely possible. If you desire something, make it happen. But remember those around you and remember that life can disappear in the blink of an eye. Never hesitate to tell people what they mean to you ~ even if they don’t feel the same way. It’s usually the things you don’t do that you regret…not the ones you do.