Drew Johnson: The Traveling Volunteer

Trying to figure out what you want to do with your life is difficult. At least it has been for me, especially since I'm still scratching my head. Drew Johnson figured it out while shampooing his locks. Ah, inspiration, you're so very fickle.

In the shower, his mind shouted out to him that he should "travel the United States, volunteering as you go, to promote a lifestyle of service to others and use technology to tell the story." And thus, his 48 states in 48 weeks plan was concocted.

The 30-year-old's plan (similar to another couple's) was to serve a minimum of "5 days or 25 hours" in each state. Currently, he's in Texas, his 18th state in the journey, with Louisiana and Arkansas soon to follow. His current projects are Meals on Wheels in Dallas (bringing meals to senior citizens) and World Hunger Relief in Waco (teaching people to use agriculture in developing communities). He's been blogging about his adventure and also updating regularly on Twitter. There's also a 48by48 YouTube page where he posts highlights and interviews.

How is he able to afford to do this? According to the Huffington Post, he has his own Web design company but "he mostly relies on donations from others to keep the project going." Johnson, who lives in Idaho, will be "driving about 17,000 miles in his 2002 Mazda Protege," according to an AARP article. You'd think Mazda would've kicked in as a sponsor, right?

For those of you trying to decide what to do with your life, he's quoted in the AARP article with this suggestion: "The big thing I try to emphasize is find what you are passionate about in life, find a way to live off that if you can, but make sure it involves helping other people."

Pretty sage advice, wouldn't you say?

You can keep up with Drew at 48by48.com.

Screengrab courtesy of the48by48 via YouTube (from interview on WDAY 6 in Fargo, ND).