Wednesday, January 20, 2010

"Adventure isn't hanging on a rope off the side of a mountain. Adventure is an attitude that we must apply to the day to day obstacles of life - Facing new challenges, seizing new opportunities, testing our resources against the unknown and in the process, discovering our own unique potential". John Amatt

When I first read this quote, I could literally hear the word, YES, screaming from inside my head. Yes, because it makes such sense. Life is incredibly short and, not to mention, a great gift and while I can't say I have always consciously subscribed to living an adventurous life seeking new opportunities and challenges, many times I did so unknowingly. Even today, I don't go all willy nilly wild without thinking things through unless, of course, I'm feeling really emotional or ticked off about something cuz then all bets are off; however, on the norm, what appears to be a quick decision to others is really something I've mulled over in my mind for quite some time and didn't necessarily share the thought process with others so it ends up looking as though I've made a rash decision.

Believe me, no one more than I is more surprised by some of the things I do like moving to California 22 years ago with nothing more than $800 to my name, and a 15-year-old VW bug. And then there's taking my first trip to Europe 9 days after September 11th or running my first marathon just shy of my 47th birthday.

Fat dumb and happy. That's what I've been each and every time I've taken a risk, meaning, I've been quite complacent with where I am at the time...maybe too much so and maybe that's why I feel the need to rattle the cage.

I'm headed to Spain next month with my friend, Micheal; told him what traveling does for me is re-affirm my ability to take care of myself and within that ability to care for myself is the ability to trust others and in that instance, trust life - my life...all life. Each and everyone of us has a history and stories to tell. Each and everyone of us on a daily basis, is attempting to love ourselves, love others and be loved in return all the while trying to put food on our table and keep a roof over our head. To challenge ourselves, is to know we're alive and part of that process.

To obtain a joyful life taking risks and opening ourselves up to new challenges, doesn't just rattle our own cage; it also rattles the cages of our loved ones. And while this may potentially be disruptive or unsettling to them - their lives - this does not mean we stop living ours. Yes, change concerning others may lead to a few battles, but first, we need be sure enough of ourselves to be willing to fight.

Choose wisely.