My Argo Adventure: Capturing the Pioneer Spirit

Yesterday, I went for a ride on an Argo, an all-terrain amphibious vehicle, which I’ve prepared for the future Earth Citizen School students. This vehicle, which goes off-road and is unafraid of deserts or fields or even streams, symbolizes the pioneer spirit. Instead of taking a path that others have paved, it blazes new trails. I also choose, not the paths that others tell me to take, but make my own way, and that’s the value that I want to teach the students whom I will truly call Earth Citizens.

Of course, danger lurks along new paths. This adventure was no different. With five people riding in this amphibious vehicle, which actually has a maximum capacity of four, it was possible to predict some trouble from this trip. But the problem was that I couldn’t leave anybody behind when everyone had come with high expectations.

When the Argo went into a stream with a current that was quite strong, it lurched from the imbalance of weight on it. It was a volatile crisis in which it seemed that if the people in the back made the slightest wrong move, it would flip over.

In a brief moment, tens of thousands of thoughts rushed through my head. Even while I was using my whole body to keep the Argo balanced, I tried stomping my feet as I calculated that I would have to jump off if it tilted too far to one side, and it also occurred to me that if I couldn’t jump at the right time, my foot could get caught, and I could be dragged under the vehicle. I was also concerned that one of the people riding in the back didn’t know how to swim. Feeling a sense of responsibility that, in that moment, five people’s lives were in my hands, my brain began to demonstrate its greatest focus.

What could I do? The way ahead was blocked. The vehicle was still rocking from side to side. There were weeds tangled in the motor. Rowing with oars wouldn’t change the direction. In that case, I half-stood from the seat as I kept the vehicle balanced, and although I’d never tried it before, I had to put it in reverse. No fear, anxiety, or emotion could be condoned, and I very, very slowly stepped on the accelerator. I was in a state of total concentration.

Fortunately, it worked well operating in reverse, and, without losing a moment, I quickly drove out of the water. Although I didn’t show it, a cold sweat was dripping down my back. After observing the reaction of my body, I resolved to overcome it if I had any fear left inside of me. So I immediately found a safer place, and with only two people on board, I practiced going in the water yet again.

Trying a new path comes with risks. Although I am always forecasting, there are times when my predictions are inaccurate, or there are times I come across a completely unexpected danger. However, through the process of overcoming dangerous situations, concentration, patience, and creativity are developed.

Staying only on safe paths and expecting such human character and integrity to grow of their own accord is like waiting for fruit without scattering any seeds. I experienced this value with my whole body once again through this adventure.

And another important thing is not to slip into fear even in a crisis situation, and after you have overcome it, not to stop challenging yourself because of that emotion. My emotions are not me, but mine. If I cannot control what’s mine, who will control it for me? Through education about how to handle emotions and education about how to overcome your own limitations, the confident young leaders who will open up a new era that we will develop at the Earth Citizen School will come into their own.