Choose Your Own Adventure - Encourage Others On Theirs

“It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path.” 

― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Along the way you'll meet many people who will give you advice and tell you what "adventure" is and that you're not truly on an adventure.  You may be compelled to do the same.

Sometimes the path of two people intersect and new friendships re formed.  More on this story tomorrow.

Each person has a path they are on and their own dream of adventure.  That path may be the same as yours or it may be quite different.  You might consider theirs crazy and impossible and someone else may say the same of yours.

Seek out those who will encourage you on your adventure, however be prepared to be alone on your path.  At the same time be someone who encourages others on their adventure.  Seeing that person light up and gain energy from your encouragement will make your day and increase your energy as well.

Gerald Trees

Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

Be Yourself!

“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

What prompted this post was a MEM that popped up on my Facebook feed this morning.  Here it is.

My first thought and the one that I still have is "What makes a person think they're actions are better or superior to my own?".  

Then one of my favorite quotes from the past popped into my head.

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." 

- Theodore Roosevelt

It's easy to be a critic, to sit back and observe others and point out what you see as shortcomings.  It's far more challenging to jump into life and live, accepting the failures and injuries (both physical and mental) that are part of the adventure.  

Perhaps the hardest part is to dig deep and discover who you are and become best friends with that person.

There will always be someone who will try to change who you are.  Remember the "issue" is with them.  

Be yourself and live your own adventure.

Gerald Trees

Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

Keep It Simple

“The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.” 
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

There are a few things in this world that are simple and near perfect in design, like the bicycle.  The materials that a bicycle is made from have changed over the years, making it lighter and stronger, and yet the design has changed little since it's invention.   It has wheels, a chain and sprockets, pedals and handlebars.  The bicycle is also the most efficient form of human powered transportation ever invented.

Like the bicycle, keep adventure seeking simple.  Give yourself the freedom to explore and experience things that come up that may not be part of your original plan.  Also, only take what you really need on your adventure (the same applies for a physical and mental adventure) and pick up the rest along the way.  The course of the adventure will dictate what you need.

Keep it Simple and enjoy the ride.

Gerald Trees

Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

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

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