Living Adventurously - parts 11 - 20

OVER TO YOU 

11.  What should you work on more slowly than your impatient side wants you to?

"Pushing out of my comfortable existence and pursuing variety...focusing more on progression and less on perfection."

"Focus on the small steps, not the big goals. Microadventures really resonate with me and I try to incorporate small ones into my life reasonably regularly. I'd just like to do more as I know they make me feel better and happier. So for me it's about how to increase the frequency and quality of the microadventures. I don't feel the need to escape and do something bigger. Life is pretty good now."

Yes, microadventures! I would like to incorporate more of them in my daily life to spice things up, to get me out there living and exploring. It's not always easy pushing out of one's comfortable existence, but I do love variety and ought to focus on progression and less on perfection which is hard for me because in part, I am a perfectionist. I like things to be perfect, for things to go my way. I am a planner, but also understand that plans fall through and are frequently changed. Microadventures are as diverse as people and the ideas are endless. It's all a matter of generating those ideas...

12.  Complete this chart…

What would I do if I was...a millionaire? I've thought about this and honestly I would most likely travel while still living well below my means. I would not purchase expensive cars or houses. I would live modestly and head out on adventures around the nation and globe. A step I can make in this direction is to find a second (maybe passive) income and research how to turn my passion/business idea into reality. I can start by conducting local adventures, basically traveling around my home. And of course I would love to give generously...and start my adventure ministry.

What would I do if I was...given a year off? Probably work on myself and of course travel and go places I have never been before. I would be tempted to cram as much into that year as possible.

What would I do if I was...a bunch of years younger? This is a tricky one. If I was younger, I probably wouldn't change much.

What would I do if I was...free of all ties? Explore - explore - explore - travel and see and experience!

What would I do if I was...sure nobody would find out? Hmm...wouldn't you like to know!

What would I do if I was...on a mission for a greater obituary? What legacy do I want to leave? Seek after the Lord day-by-day. Live and work as though I am living for the Lord, not for men.

13.  Why do you want to live more adventurously?

"...I knew something was wrong. I'd done everything I was told, bu something was missing. Slowly, I began to examine my life, searching for the last time I felt complete, or fulfilled. While there was no single shiny, resounding answer, I could feel a gentle pull...a pull to the wild, where nothing was grey or bathed in fluorescent light, there were no phone calls to return or back-breaking labour to make someone else rich. But what could I do? I had bills to pay and a family to look after: I couldn't just take off on an adventure and let their lives crumble. I was stuck. Stuck and miserable."

I am not miserable, but I do understand the sentiment of being stuck. I think we often use that as an excuse. We are stuck. We feel stuck so we stay stuck. We don't even try to get out of the pit. We're stuck so we just accept the fact that this is the way life ought to be. But the truth is it is not. There's something more. There's always a pull to something greater. I have felt a pull to the wild, a pull to adventure. A call...the wild is calling, the mountains are calling...will we answer the call? Or just go about the hum-drum of every day life? Let's make our lives more adventurous!

How are you going to live more adventurously?

"It was at this time, out of sheer coincidence, I stumbled across your idea of microadventures. I don't remember how or where I first saw it but I can tell you, beyond a shadow of a doubt, microadventures saved my life."

I can see how microadventures can change one's life. I have come across them myself and they do provide a sense of adventure, an itch to scratch without embarking on a grand adventure far from home. Sleep on a hill, swim in a river, visit a place you've never visited before...

What are you going to begin? (It would be great if you had an actual concrete idea that you'd like to make happen in the coming pages...)

I have 20 more states to visit and the ones I have visited I would like to go back to with my wife. I would love to cycle to each one, but if that cannot happen alone or with someone else, then I must come to terms with settling for road trips or other forms of adventure which are great, just a different form of great. I would also love to journey to each national park in our country.

14.  What practical barriers stand in your way?

"The barriers are work obligations. Age. Failing joints. House repairs. But if I'm frank, the biggest challenge I face is the willingness to take risks for the things I want."

Exactly--work obligations, age, health, family commitments. Those are all excuses and barriers. But excuses aren't always barriers. It is true that the truth of the barriers or challenge if you will is the willingness to take the risks in the first place. But I've always said that risk is an essential element to adventure so we can't shy away from risk and danger. But that's it, isn't it? We are scared or unwilling to go.

What mental barriers have you built up?

"I find it daunting to get the right kit for not being cold and miserable without having to do too much research."

The willingness to take risks is also mental. I believe mental barriers far out-weigh the physical. Living more adventurously requires thought...it's a mental game. Our minds play tricks on us. Sometimes our minds are our own worst enemies. If we don't tame our mind, then it may run rampant and we tell ourselves no rather than yes. I believe I have built up some barriers in my mind such as oh my family won't want to do this or won't allow me to. What if...what if...How can I get to the starting line?

What concerns can be shunted further down-the-line?

The more concerns or worries we can slay now, the easier it may get further down...Most concerns aren't really concerns deep down...

Think of the most significant thing blocking you from living adventurously.

** Now ask these questions, known as the Dickens Process:

-- What has that barrier cost you in your life so far?

-- What is that barrier costing you right now?

-- What will that barrier cost you 10 years from now if it persists?

If I were to ask myself honestly what is blocking me from living adventurously, I suppose nothing is. I think for me it is a matter of doing and escaping...and maybe a little convincing others to join in...

Identifying what the barriers are is the first step in living more adventurously in this life after all...

15. 

Mark up this table with how you use the 168 hours in a typical week. Each square represents one hour. Things to add might include work, sleep, travel, exercise, learning, chores, childcare, hobbies and weekend loafing.

Exactly...what fills up my time in a typical week? Work, sleep, commuting to and from work, exercise in the form of bicycling and walking and basketball, learning day-to-day, chores, tidying up, cleaning, hobbies, reading, writing, TV & movies, laundry, shopping, dreaming, wondering, devotions, attending Church, praying, tithing, planning, family gatherings...and of course weekend loafing...

What did you learn from this?

I suppose there is a bunch of things that need to be done and others that we waste our time on.

16.  When did you last climb a tree?

I often forget about climbing trees. Maybe it's because I like the ground. But seriously, I didn't climb one tree on my journey to cycle to every park in my hometown. The last time I climbed a tree was probably when I was a kid...or maybe in my 20s.

 Do a brain dump of everything in your head, from your life goals to the weekly To-Do list. It will help clarify what you should prioritize and what's best to delegate or delete:

Hmm...what's in my head? Right now, Winnie the Pooh while I babysit my friend's little girl. The dishes, laundry, climbing a tree, the weather, cleaning my bicycle, door dashing, the virus, protests, food, drink, travel, visiting all 50 states of the union, reading all my books, walking in the woods, living more adventurously, loving my wife, our upcoming anniversary, camping at Jack Creek, family dynamics, personality tests, the state of our union, priorities and love, Church and Jesus Christ, devotions, growth and mentalities...what's urgent and what's important?

17.  What can you say 'no' to that will free up time and energy for you to live more adventurously?

Well the one thing that comes to mind is saying 'no' more to TV. I tend to watch way too much. But after a long day, it is always nice to unwind and escape into another world. Whereas that may be true, isn't that just another excuse? A 'no, but...?" I suppose. At times it is often background noise while I write, like right now actually, or as I do chores or plan or read or simply think...

18. 

 How can you spend less or earn more?

"It doesn't have to cost huge amounts of money, and you can always start saving. We were shocked by how much we spent on coffee and travel. So we bought a thermos and now bike to work."

For many years I have biked or walked to work. It provides exercise and saves on gas money. It also reduces stress an wakes me up. I could never figure out a downside to bicycle commuting. There are a lot of free or cheap alternatives to expensive stuff out there.

"Deciding to take five months off work with my wife to cycle through Africa. All the concerns you mention, particularly a mortgage and career progression, almost held us back. If anything though, the trip helped my career as it marked me out and gave me a better perspective. We've since repeated the trick through Central America."

This is brilliant. After all, we only live once on this earth. Pack up and travel while you still can. The logistics are what gets in the way and makes things troubling. Also convincing your family it is a good idea. Often bad ideas at the time later become good when the mind is altered. It's all about perspective.

 How can you get more time in your life?

"I could free up more time by becoming more focused on work stuff (and getting off Facebook!), getting my work tasks done sooner and leaving more time open to make different, more adventurous choices with my waking hours."

I could definitely free up some time by avoiding TV and social media to focus on writing or planning my business or side hustle. It's funny though. The busyness epidemic. We use that as an excuse. Everyone has the same amount of time. It's all a matter of what we use that time for!

"I could quit my job and move to the country, or start an outdoor/activity centre or pack up my family and travel."

That is what I would love. It's the practical and logical sides that bother me...

"Large scale - probably impossible; small scale - definitely possible."

19.  

What inner fears are inhibiting you from living adventurously?

"Fear. I am mostly afraid to change. You have it right. Comfortable is easy. Uncomfortable is hard."

Hard is where adventure lies though. If it were always easy, no one...or everyone would do it! Type two fun isn't always pleasant at the time. If it is pleasant, then it is more of a vacation rather than an adventure.

"I've found out that it is a little bit scarier to write down the answers to your questions instead of just thinking about them..."

That's the key. Write it down and it will most likely happen. Don't write it down and you can forget about it. It's scary, but it's worth it!

"Most of the great memories I have are things I did when I was terrified of doing them."

Which practical problems are actually covers for more deep-seated vulnerabilities?

Husband asking what/why are you doing that? Feeling guilty for staying out overnight on my own when I could be doing something together as a family or going away in the caravan etc. Work pressures - being tired afterwards!

In a way, adventure can become selfish. That is something I have struggled with in the past. Priorities change over time. Adventure should never disappear, but sometimes it takes differing forms through each stage of life.

20.  If you had no fear and you knew that you wouldn't fail, what would you do?

"I just need to push myself to do more of these things despite a desire to take the easy (wasteful, boring) life and do less."

"My science teacher once told my class, 'you guys are so scared to make mistakes that you aren't even trying!' And he was right! Sometimes, when I'm trying to handle a tough situation but not making any progress, I remember that incident. It encourages me to move forward with SOMETHING and just see what works!"

Should we try something if we know we won't succeed? I've always loved the quote, "If you know you will succeed, it's too easy." That's so true. When I was planning my bike adventures, I didn't know I was going to succeed. They were all adventures and adventures include risk, challenge and a huge dose of grandeur. If there's not a chance of danger and unknown, there is no adventure. This is one definition, one that I have adopted. If you know you will succeed, it's too easy. Adventure is hard and many stop before they even begin. They don't get past the starting line because fear drives them. Fear of the unknown. Fear of 'what ifs.' If we just begin and escape into the woods, if we make that leap, we will be pleasantly surprised and come back rejuvenated and it will stretch us and grow us!

 When would you begin that thing?