So what are you going to do with your dash?

So what are you going to do with your dash?, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma–which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” - Steve Jobs

To explore is to seek new challenges.

People ask me all the time why I love to travel. I respond by saying I love new challenges. Then they usually follow up by asking me what my favorite place has been.

“The next destination,” I invariable state.

One day I was sitting in church and the pastor was preaching a sermon on living a fruitful life. He displayed a picture on the screen of a gravestone with the year of the date of birth and date of death (1909-1994).

“That’s your life, a simple dash. What you do between the moment you are born and when you die is up to you,” he declared. “So what are you going to do with your dash?”

I was raised by very strict Asian parents and when I went to college I was expected to major in electrical engineering (naturally because all Asians excel at math). I was an electrical engineer major for about a week before I switched to a double major of economics and political science. When my father angrily asked me why I went against his wishes I simply responded, “I’m doing something about my dash.”

I’m still doing something with my dash by fulfilling my wanderlust. Last month I was on the Garden Isle of Kauai, Hawaii. I filled my compact flash cards by photographing the lush greenery, stunning beaches and postcard views.

Anahola Beach Park is located on the east shore of Kauai and is a favorite of locals. Since most of the beach is protected from the high surf by a reef, it attracts more kids than surfers.

So that is what I have been doing with my dash. What have you been doing with yours?

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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