Do good for yourself and others

Chances are that your expedition was not financed by yourself in its entirety—maybe only to a minimal degree. Possibly, you were on a publicly funded expedition project, most expenses paid for by taxes. What a godsend! Other explorers return home afterwards with their backpacks full of debts.

Consequently, if your education was sponsored to any degree by someone else than yourself, try to keep in mind the benefit you were dealt to the degree that seems appropriate to you. If you feel this notion speaks to you, consider letting it sit for a while and maybe generate thoughts about how to contribute, give back, or enable others in kind. There’s no need to feel a burden of needing to repay a debt that you never incurred, there is just an opportunity to try to pass on some of the good fortune you were granted with others when you see the chance to do so.

Research, to a degree, also means being both being in need of funding but also being able to provide and share insight in return. Wherever a system enables you to grow by investing in you, it can only survive if enough of those invested into are able and willing to contribute, share, or sensibly employ what they have learned when the opportunity arises.

(This is a preview section. The full chapter on this topic continues with the sections “Rough coordinates”, “Train of thought”, “In essence”, “To reflect”, “Two travellers’ tales”, “Devil’s advocate”, and “How to tackle”.)