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High Infatuation

• December 2011
• Simple Living Climb Travel

I first saw “High Infatuation” in a used book store, while looking for a Costa Rica travel book. I honestly thought it was going to be about doing drugs from the title. I might have even laughed a little about the idea of a book about doing drugs. Nonetheless, I picked it up and I’m so thankful that I did.

When I bought your book I was just coming back from spending a semester in India and Nepal. I study architecture, but ever since I was an adolescent boy I’ve dreamed about joining the peace corps to help people, but my parents would always talk me out of it. When I went to Asia, it was part of a program that does community work and tries to break down the stereotypes that us American students build. We focused on working with people as equals. I had originally signed up for the trip on a whim because I was coming out of a bad relationship that left me in a depression and questioning who I was and what I believed in. I just knew that I needed to get off of campus and I didn’t care where I went.

Going to Asia really changed me. There is not 10 minutes that go by that I don’t think about the impact it has had on my life. Now, I question everything! I have learned how to put myself into both sides of the spectrum. I brought my experience home with me and it completely changed the way that I live my life. I started back to school this fall for my senior year. I had full intentions of going to graduate school in the fall of 2012 to continue my studies in architecture, but my focus was one architecture and humanity. I started to design with people in mind. I entered a project that I had done into a design competition and I noticed that mine was one of the only projects (out of 80) that showed any sort of cultural awareness for the context. This really opened my eyes.

I thought back to your book. I read it over and over again. Your words made me again question myself. Why was I so adamant about being an architect? I had to ask myself if I was doing what I really enjoyed. I now HATED the individualistic society that was my studio. I hated the idea that everyone was missing the bigger picture. It occurred to me that people and life is more important than buildings and cool drawing and models. I couldn’t remember a time when I was happier than in India. I couldn’t remember a time when I felt more aware. I have never been so at touch with my mind. I could read a Pablo Neruda poem and understand it totally haha.

Your story was fuel to my fire. Even though the contexts were completely different, I was so inspired by your words, your stories, your strength. This sounds strange, but your words always remind me of my time in Asia. They remind me of what it was like to be completely aware of everything around me, not just physically, but spiritually as well. Your book has done so much to inspire me to know my strengths, know myself. Through your words, I was able to find the strength to question my life goals. I stopped applying to graduate school. I found the strength to break what was in motion, and question if I was headed in the right direction or not. Through all of my questioning, I have found one constant. I love to help people. I love to spread awareness about global issues. Now I’m applying to the peace corps and other volunteer opportunities. This is a long story just to say this, but it took me a long time to find the strength to tell myself this is what I really need to be doing with my life.

Meanwhile my friends are getting married and comparing their starting salaries or which grad school they are applying to. I’m talking about how I aspire to go live in a developing country with no provisions. I honestly can’t think of any place I would rather be than using my capabilities to help people. Your book reminds me everyday what it is like to break societal expectations and aspire to do what I love. If ever I have doubts, I find courage in your words. I have recommended your book to pretty much everyone I know. I have even taken up indoor rock climbing haha. I just wanted to say thank you. Thanks for your writing, thank you for sharing your journey to find who you are. It has certainly inspired me. I have to say that you are my personal hero. Thank you.

Dear Jaren,
Thank you very much for this letter. It means a lot to me that High Infatuation has been a piece of your journey, and I appreciate very much that you took the time to tell me! I’m just finishing book #2, and soon I’ll need to turn in the manuscript to the publisher. I’ve written since I was 18 in my journals, constantly. I have boxes full of them. What you practice is what you do, and I always write like I’m writing to myself in my own journal, typing away in the back of my truck somewhere or by my woodstove. The strange part is when that writing becomes stories that will go out and be read by people I’ve never even met… Sometimes I find that a little strange or maybe scary, and I also wonder: does anyone even want to read all this stuff about what one person is thinking and doing?? So knowing that sharing those stories has been useful to someone else is really meaningful to me. And I appreciate it more than I can tell you, to hear that.
I think your decisions are brave and wonderful. I wish you the best of luck with all of them.
Steph