Adventure

Adventure

“A life lived in fear is a life half lived.” – Spanish Proverb

Happy Friday! I hope your week has been filled with passion, productivity, and positive vibes. If this is not the case, guess what? We have the weekend to turn things around. Earlier this month, I joined my sister and cousin in Mexico to celebrate an engagement and birthday. We stayed at a beachside resort and reconnected instantly. My sister resides in California, my cousin resides in Las Vegas, and I reside in Texas. The beauty of life is opportunities and adventure; we were all able to stop our daily lives and come together to celebrate milestones and life's journey together.

The last time we were together on a trip was in Hawaii twenty years ago. That may seem like a long time, but when we talked about it, it seemed like time flew by! On the second day of our trip, we decided to go on an excursion. Adventure or not, I knew whatever was ahead would spark a light in my mind and plant seeds of creativity. I eagerly awaited what adventures would lie ahead.

As we were on the bus ride to the Templo de Kukukan and the Cenote Saamal, I knew it would be an adventure, but the quest and risk I took were not expected; I jumped ten feet onto a 150-foot sinkhole. I was not going to do it because I was scared but I calculated the risks and made the decision to jump. It was liberating, to say the least. After I caught my breath from fear, a sudden peacefulness came over me and I floated on my back admiring the beauty of nature.

?“The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for a newer and richer experience.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

I have been around the globe, but I try to take calculated risks but nothing too risky. Upon arrival at the temple, we were immediately warned that it was sweltering and that no one was exempt from experiencing a heat stroke. We listened and rented an umbrella and paced ourselves; ten minutes later, we saw a man face down on the grass experiencing a heat stroke. I tell this part of the story because of the importance of listening to the experts, especially when you are an adventure seeker. You can mitigate risks and save your life by not making new rules. Now, to the good stuff!

What is adventure? According to Merriam-Webster, Adventure is when you are ready to take risks or to deal with new or unexpected explorations. There are many examples of adventure, from traveling, exploring, scuba diving, starting a new job, having a child, and more. A fitting example is having children and parenting. It is a journey in itself; the fact that it is so common makes it seem easier than it is. We take risks and go on adventures daily; even when we do not think of life this way.

“The danger of adventure is worth a thousand days of ease and comfort.” – Paulo Coelho

Is seeking adventure important in your life? In short, yes! It can relieve stress, release endorphins, and offer many new experiences. Adventure can be thrilling and provide instant gratification. I am an adventurer and a curious person, I seek out things that are new and things that are different from my norms. I am also a wanderlust as I am naturally inquisitive; how do you describe yourself? If you look at opportunities to try new food, move to a different city, fall in love, or relocate for a job as an adventure, it can improve the experience. If you cannot think of the last time, you did something out of the norm, plan an upcoming holiday out of town, go to a restaurant versus cook or even attempt to make a new friend. All of the above can be considered adventurous; I encourage you to choose to live versus just exist.

The beauty of adventure is that it means something different to everyone. So, what does adventure mean to you? My perspective may differ from yours, but one thing I know to be true is that we all grow by stepping out of our comfort zone. Even if you do not travel, have a routine, or wish to continue as you are, you can still find brilliance in the ordinary things while even taking a different route home. Keep in mind that excitement and thrill can be found in new or old things.

“Adventure isn’t hanging off a rope on the side of a mountain. Adventure is an attitude we must apply to the day-to-day obstacles of life” – John Amat

Lastly, living with fear stops us from taking risks, and you need to go out on the branch to get the best fruit!

So, pursue your life, dreams, and aspirations relentlessly and passionately to enjoy the beauty of life. Adventure is always a choice; choose and live wisely!

Cheers!

Neffie