The word punk is just that a word. However, this word does have meaning to me. If I had to sum it up I would define punk as being “radically unique”! The world is a weird place, and my path has been anything but clear. The older I get the less I understand.
Recently I have been skateboarding a lot more than over the past 5 or 6 years. Looking back over those 6 years I was unknowingly missing a part of myself. I stopped skating gradually as circumstances and thought patterns changed. I went from a young angry ideological punk to the typical bad student who studies business in college just to party and not have to think or try hard. I kept snowboarding and a deep connection to nature throughout this phase and I think this really helped me stay on track. However, I lost the drive to make a change and the will power to fight for what I believed in this world. I started feeling depressed like how can I make a change this whole thing is so F**ked!
After working in the energy industry and corporate jobs where I would never have imagined myself, I am once again trying to live up to those same punk ideals. There is a difference now because my brain is a lot clearer and I have more information about what is really going on. I think I am also a little more forgiving of myself than when I was younger. It has been a long time coming and it feels almost like a spiritual renewal. I never would have imagined that this would be my path. A few years ago I do not know if I would have believed I could break the negative cycle I was stuck in. This has been a long path and I know it will never truly be over. I am however very grateful that through whatever means and with support from some very real people I can once again remember the good side of myself and be able to give back!
It is not lost on me that just when I started to have faith in the world and a positive outlook once again that skateboarding reappeared in my life. I love skating! Live to ride and ride to live!
Average Joe 