Our newest campaign was built for people who live fearlessly and adventurously (read: you). Today we’re gonna clue you in on how it all started.
The slogan “Jump First, Fear Later” has been a part of Invisible Children’s ethos since the very beginning. It’s one of our core values – so much so that all staff and interns learn it their very first day in the office. We got it from a book called Dangerous Wonder: The Adventures of Childlike Faith, which Jason, Laren, and Ben first read in 1998. In this book, author Mike Yaconelli writes: “I long for a life that explodes with meaning and is filled with adventure, wonder, risk, and danger.” Thus the concept for the campaign was born.
“The journey is the destination.”
Dan Eldon lived out a perfect example of this philosophy, and his journey has greatly inspired ours. During his short life he traveled the world, risking everything to be on the cusp of adventure and cultivating an attitude of creativity and wonder. He came to be known as one of the first photojournalists to cover the war in Somalia, shortly before his violent death at the young age of 22.
Dan’s mission statement was, “Safari as a Way of Life. To explore the unknown and familiar, distant and near, and to record in detail with the eyes of a child, any beauty (of the flesh or otherwise), horror, irony, traces of Utopia or Hell.” We’ve sought to emulate his example of courage in the course of our own work in central and East Africa.
What do you desire?
The voice you hear in the film belongs to Allan Watts; his writings also get to the heart of the issue, which is this: deep down, we all desire something. The key is to get rid of the things that hold us back and pursue the life we truly want. Here at Invisible Children, we believe that each and every person has the power within them to embody this same spirit of bravery; to throw off the things that limit them and dare to live a life that’s out of the ordinary – a life that demands explanation.
The average human life is just 28,000 days
There will always be an excuse not to go, a reason to not take the risk, a justification for keeping your safety and security. But we believe the key is to stand up in the face of fear – to choose actions that align with what’s actually important in your life. We’ve seen it – in Dan Eldon, in Christopher McCandless, in the incredible individuals who make up our movement and in the countless others who are doing amazing things around the world.
Don’t just look to these individuals – become them. Cast off the things that limit you and just go. Jump first, fear later.
Shop our “Jump First, Fear Later” products
Thanks to Levi’s for inspiring us with their awesome visuals. Watch their video here.
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