As we mature (age), the tendency to step outside our comfort zone is greater than it might be versus those angst-filled days of our youth.
The first decades of life, we’re more concerned with “fitting in” and we care what our peers and coworkers think. We might dance around the edges of safe and flirt with different, but we’re less inclined to go against the grain. (Of course, there are exceptions.)
Then, years find us.
We grow restless. We explore life beyond the bubble.
We change.
Generally, the more we learn, the more confident we become. We try new things and we see new possibilities.
We still want to fit in and be accepted by our peers, but we view autonomy and uniqueness in a new light.
We approach life differently. Or we should.
That adventure we imagined ourselves living is now a choice.
Someday is here.
As a little girl I fancied myself a writer.
Impossibly curious, with an overactive imagination, I first created story worlds in pictures. My passion morphed into words. Words I penned in notebooks and journals, and even on scraps of paper when nothing else was handy.
My teen years were much the same. I lived and breathed lives, loves, and sentiments through pen and pencil and more journals.
I joined my characters on adventures. We had a grand time together.
College happened.
A career.
Marriage.
Motherhood.
A child’s health crisis.
Writing got shoved to the back burner as real life intruded.
Then…
Two steps forward. A few back.
I started writing…again.
For a time, I lived the adventure.
And wouldn’t you know?
There it was again—the suck-you-dry reality of day-to-day life.
Commitments.
Infringements.
Time-stealers.
Heart-tweakers.
Then I was able to write again.
Ahh…
And so the cycle continued.
What have I learned?
That’s how adventure is.
What we see as roadblocks, God sees as opportunity.
Impairments become improvements as we navigate the process.
Sometimes, adventure is boring. Static. Mundane.
Sometimes, it’s turmoil. Conflict. Heartbreak.
Sometimes, it’s unexpected. Beautiful. Joy.
Adventure is perspective set on its heels with tomorrow in mind.
It’s imperfect, implausible, and gripping.
It’s our life-breath, whatever our calling.
Even when we dreamed it differently…
And hoped for a different outcome.
Especially then.
Because that’s where the magic happens—in the moments we’re living and in others we haven’t yet.
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PLEASE SHARE
When life throws you curve balls, do this. Hint: It doesn’t hurt. For long.
Lost your sense of adventure? Reframe your perspective!
MORE THOUGHTS YOU MAY ENJOY
Be a Different Egg. Don’t Get Scrambled!
Life as a visionary in a middle-of-the-road world.
When your “now” becomes new and 7 reasons why you love it.
The common thread that binds dreamers together and why dreaming big honors God.
Original Image Credit: Pexels/Pixabay
What are your thoughts?
What have you learned from your adventures?
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Enjoy the day, my adventurous friend!
Comments 2
Like a warm summer rain, you’ve watered my soul with your beautiful, edifying words. Thank you!
Author
Julia, you are so welcome! And…right backatcha. Your Motivational Monday FB posts are the kick-start to my week!