Dream Big - Go Big!

Big dreams are powerful, exciting and scary.  When I was younger I would get into trouble for not paying attention in class and for doodling on my notebook paper.  I was dreaming about travel to far off places and drawing pictures of bicycles, motorcycles and airplanes.  Not necessarily together.

Somewhere along the way those dreams faded away, being covered up by college, a career and raising a family.  Of course there were those who would say that a farm kid from Idaho would never be able to achieve those dreams...

The great thing about dreams, especially big ones, is that there still inside waiting to be let out.  Sometimes they sneak out on their own to give you a glimpse of what could be.

For me those glimpses came in the form of having the opportunity to travel to central Mexico on 2006 for an eye care mission, being asked to ride to the Sturgis motorcycle rally (a long time bucket list item) in 2011 and a friend posing a challenge that I should travel to Peru with him for 2 weeks of riding motorcycles in the Andes.  

I could have said "NO" any of these opportunities and my dreams would have been further buried. Fortunately I said "YES" and now my dreams of travel and motorcycles have been put together for what's been a fun ride so far.

Dream Big - Go Big!

Gerald Trees

Seeking An Adventurous Life

Fear is THE obstacle to living!

Fear is an emotion that's in all of us.  It can be controlled and manipulated for our good or cause us great stress and limit us.

The key is FEAR CAN BE CONTROLLED.  

The question I ask myself all the time is "who's controlling my fear, me or someone else?"  

If it's someone else, then I'm being controlled by that someone and that someone now has all the power to manipulate my thoughts and actions.  That's scary.

That someone can be parents, friends, politicians, the media and someone you've never met.  That someone can be anyone!

If I'm in control of my fear, the power is all mine.

How do I take control of my fear?

1.  Turn off the news!  

2.  Be curious. 

"Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will." - James Stephens

3.  Just do it!  

For me this is an ongoing process and struggle.  The more I push through the easier it gets and the more I live.

Take control of your fear and enjoy the life that comes with that control.

Gerald Trees

Seeking An Adventurous Life

Adventure Will Change You!

Heading out on an adventure, any adventure, will change you.  When you return, you'll see your world a little differently and you'll have new skills and perspectives that will be useful in every aspect of your life.  Yes, even a trip to a part of your town or city will do this.

Here is one of the most insightful and entertaining presentations on adventure that I've seen.  It was given at Enjoy!

Gerald Trees
Seeking An Adventurous Life

Pay Attention All The Time!!!

“When each day is the same as the next, it’s because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises.” 
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

There is an adventure to be had every day if you pay attention to what is going on around you.  That adventure could be finding out more about someone you've just met or someone you've known for a long time.  It could be taking a different route to work or seeing what's around the next corner.

Wondering what's over the next hill or around the next corner is an adventure

The more you look for adventure, the more you'll find so be like Alice and head down the Rabbit Hole.

Gerald Trees
Seeking An Adventurous Life

What Is Adventure?

If you believe that Adventure means climbing a mountain, jumping out of a perfectly good airplane or traveling around the world on a motorcycle, take a look at the definition of Adventure.

"An adventure is an exciting or unusual experience.  It may also be a bold, usually risky undertaking, with an uncertain outcome." - Wikipedia

Mountain climbing, skydiving and traveling around the world on a motorcycle are only a few adventures that you can pursue.  There are so many more...

Here are a few examples that may seem trivial to many, but are adventures to the people in the story.

Example 1:

A friend of mine has a fear of flying so he went out and bought an airplane and took flying lessons.

This same person has a fear of motorcycles so he bought a motorcycle, took a riding course and now rides on a regular basis.

Example 2:

Another friend has a deep love of experiencing different cities and cultures and yet she has a fear of flying.  In the past 2 years she's taken many flights to travel to different places and has come home with more then a few amazing stories.

My two friends are living their adventure in spite of fears and misgivings.

Adventure will be different for each of us.  It should get your heart racing and keep you coming back for more.

Pick something you've always wanted to do and get to it.

Gerald Trees
Seeking An Adventurous Life

Expect Resistance From Those Around You When Seeking An Adventurous Life

“If someone isn't what others want them to be, the others become angry. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.” 
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

A few of my friends who are also seeking adventure

When you're seeking an Adventurous Life and begin living that life, expect many around you to question your intentions and some will become angry with you.  Please realize that the problem is with them.  Your change becomes uncomfortable to them because it's unsettling their world, which you're a part of.  Jealousy will also play a roll.  Expect this and expect for it to be "uncomfortable".

Here is a promise that I can make.  While seeking an Adventurous Life you will encounter new people and make new friends who are seeking a similar life and who will encourage and help you along your path.  They will appear when you least expect them and when you need them the most.

Gerald Trees
Seeking An Adventurous Life

Set Yourself On Fire!

"Success isn’t a result of spontaneous combustion.  You must set yourself on FIRE!" - Arnold H. Glasgow

Living a adventurous life requires action, often in the face of fear as fear is THE obstacle we all will face. Take action, Set yourself on FIRE and watch what happens.

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker