Adventure: (noun) an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity.
Yum.
I love adventure. I didn’t realize how much I did until I started writing this post, looking back on some of my adventures in the wilderness or abroad. It’s almost addictive. Here I am bungee jumping near Victoria Falls at the Zimbabwe/Zambia border. Did I mention I love adventure?
When I was 21 I spent a year in Kenya, studying international development and interning at a women’s microfinance organization. During a two week vacation my friend Bridget and I decided to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. We found a cheap outfitter, cut the day by one to save costs, and rented all of our gear. I’ve never forget, seeing the other hikers decked out in matching polypropylene outfits, titanium hiking poles and worn-in boots and right next to them, stood Bridget, rocking her pink linen capris from Old Navy, mismatched socks and a tall stick.
On that trip, we suffered through rain, sleet, snow and altitude sickness. Our camera broke. Two people we were hiking with couldn’t make it and our guide had to descend with them. We were left with an assistant whose knew only a few words of english. The only photo I have of the whole trip is this one. It’s probably the best one to have, I suppose.
You know what? It was one of the best times of my life.
We all have different variations of adventure, whether it be physical or mental. The most important thing about these moments of adventure is it makes us feel alive. It shakes you awake, it quickens your pulse, it reminds you that this whole thing called life is actually quite short. We don’t have forever. Whatever you’re worrying about, it probably doesn’t matter in the scheme of things.
And this is why we have to have more adventure in our lives. We all can get into our humdrum routine. Wake up, eat breakfast, go to work, go to the gym, come home, eat dinner while watching TV in the background. Blah. I saw a posting recently that read, “If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine. It’s lethal.” Couldn’t have put it better myself.
Whatever your definition of adventure is, get out of your comfort zone. Try a new restaurant. Take a different route home. Go someplace you’ve never been, do something you’ve never done. You’ll feel better afterwards. Hopefully you’ll feel more alive.