All You Need is Struggle

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Right now, you’re most likely looking at a mobile device. Can I ask — how long have you been looking at your device? 

Maybe you just woke up, flipped on your phone, and started scrolling through social media feeds until you stumbled upon my link.

Perhaps you’re sitting on the toilet, stuffing your brain with a nugget of knowledge while patiently pushing out a giant — uhh, you know.

Anyway, I think you’re well aware of the coronapocalypse, so there’s no point in bringing that up. It’s exhausting, and the last thing you need is some reminder that you’ve spent the majority of April stuck inside. 

So, how are things going?

Are you putting your time to good use?

Do you spend your day working on a project, practicing a hobby, or pursuing a business idea? 

I’m awfully curious as to what motivates you to wake up in the morning and make a positive contribution to the world — assuming that that’s what you’re doing.

You see, in this time of struggle, there are so many opportunities to try new things you never thought of doing before. 

For me, I’m using this time to publish as much writing as possible. 

So, can I share a story with you?

Chasing a Dream

From 2012 to 2014, I was very unhappy with my life.

I can’t pinpoint the exact reason why, but that’s just the feeling I remember when I reflect on my experiences back then. 

During that time period, I graduated from university with a bachelors degree, cycled from Toronto to St. John’s raising funds for this charity, moved 2000+ km to be with my girlfriend, broke up with my girlfriend a month later, started a career in social work, then left everything behind in pursuit of a crazy idea that emerged from the bottom of my mind. 

“I’m going to go on an adventure around the world.”

It was infectious, and, at the same time, it was a blessing. 

Up until this moment, I had absolutely no idea what to do with my life. There I was, a 23-year-old young man with a decent education and the ability to find work in a range of industries— but — no direction whatsoever. 

Sure, I had my accomplishments, there were moments I’m proud of; however, there was always something missing in my life.

When I got the impulse to start an adventure around the world, I still didn’t know which way I was going or what I’d be doing. The only thing I decided was that this adventure would start in Tokyo, Japan. 

Money Matters

I quit my job as a social worker in April then spent a month and working for a tree planting company to save as much cash as possible. 

(If you don’t know about tree planting, it’s a 1.5-month gig, paying approx. $0.10 per tree, work 10 to 13+ hours per day for 5 days with 1 day off, and there’s potential to earn $10,000+ per season.)

When I returned to my parents’ house, I had less than a week to pack my belongings and start my adventure. I sold as much as I could and threw away or donated anything I wouldn’t ever need.

I had about $7,000+ CAD in the bank after purchasing all my equipment, upgrading my bike, and booking a flight to Japan. 

There was nothing left to do except say goodbye and get ready to say hello to a whole new world. 

Konnichiwa!

Japan was amazing. 

It felt like I was arriving on another planet. 

Before this, I only ever visited the United States, and, if you ignore all the political nonsense and egotistical nuances, Canada’s not all that different. 

I touched down at Haneda Airport. My head whirled from left to right, soaking in the confusing Japanese characters while being mesmerized by the way it sounded from people talking around me. 

The first thing I did when I arrived in Japan was to go straight to the toilet.

I had a giant — uhh, you know — that was patiently waiting to emerge from my rear end. With so many people telling me about Japanese toilets, I was excited to give it a try. 

When I saw the universal sign that indicates where men and women can go to the bathroom, I was almost skipping with joy to give it a go. 

Toto — oh, Toto! 

(You’ll understand what that means if you’ve been to Japan. I won’t spoil it for you, but you may want to skip this next part if you’re sensitive to gross stuff.)

As I sat on the toilet, I played around with a touchpad that made the toilet seat hot or played a fake flushing sound or music to hide the shame of my activity. 

Plop… Plop… Sploosh…

I was finished. Now, it’s the time!

I pressed the button to begin the grand finale and I heard some mechanics activate in the toilet bowl. I waited nervously when all of a sudden, a powerful jet started shooting water straight up my asshole. 

I panicked. I wanted to scream. I tried to turn it off, but I couldn’t understand the language. 

Obviously, I couldn’t stand it because my ass would be dripping wet with toilet water spraying all over the place. I tried to reduce the intensity but quickly realized that this only prolonged the experience of my bare bottom water cleaning. 

After a few minutes, it was eventually over. 

Finding My Way

It was an awkward start to my adventure, but, to be completely honest, I wouldn’t want it any other way. 

There’s more to this story and other sidetracks we can go on, but I’m going to wrap things up because it’s probably time you give yourself a wipe and pull up your own pants. 

However, before you go, I want to leave you with something to think about. 

Throughout my personal struggles, I’ve learned there’s a certain beauty in life in the way it shows us just how capable we are of finding and creating a new path forward. 

In times of struggle, there are so many opportunities to try new things and explore new worlds. Things you never thought of or dreamed of doing before. Every struggle is a chance to get to know ourselves on a deeper level. To examine the human side of things. A reminder that everything we thought was real and everything we believed to be true, well, there are so many other possibilities for life to take.

So, whether you’re going to jump on a bicycle and cycle across countries when the world gets better or carry on with life as is… just remember… all you need is a little struggle, and once you push through it… 

Plop… Plop… Sploosh…

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Thanks for taking the time to read my writing — I hope there was something here that made you think, smile, or laugh. If you want to receive updates when I publish my next story, feel free to subscribe. 

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