ADVENTUROUSNESS | Part I – The Core Value Series

 

Those who know me best wouldn’t necessarily call me a thrill seeker. I’ve never jumped out of a plane or been deep sea diving. But I do love adventure.

I love being in a new city, or even in a new café. I love spontaneous dates to magical places with beautiful friends.

I love meeting new people and chatting for hours after connecting quite unexpectedly over shared interests.

And most of all I love being surrounded by Mother Earth in all her glory – exploring a new stretch of river or coastline, traversing a path I’ve never walked before.

 

I’ve been reflecting on this feeling, this beautiful, delicious ADVENTUROUSNESS.

It’s something at the core of me that I value deeply.

And this year, I’m exploring my core values like never before so I can share them with you.

 

In the Oxford dictionary adventure (noun) is defined as:

1. An unusual and exciting or daring experience;
2. Excitement associated with danger or the taking of risks.

While I’m not so keen for the danger part, (especially now I’m a mama and wish to be around for my family and to see my son grow) I am super keen for the unusual, exciting, daring and risk-taking parts!

 

Let’s be real and honest. Life can become mundane sometimes. Things can feel ho-hum and occasionally we might feel a sense of powerlessness or be afraid to change certain aspects of our lives that aren’t working.

We are never truly stuck and always have options. Each new day is a chance to move forward into adventure and make empowered decisions that will positively impact our lives and the lives of those around us.

 

One of my favourite quotes is from the American author Gayle Forman. She eloquently writes:

“We are born in one day. We die in one day. We can change in one day. And we can fall in love in one day. Anything can happen in just one day.”

I love the power of this quote, a reminder that one day is really all we ever have.

It all happens today. This day. This moment.

 

I’ve discovered I’m not alone in my reverence for adventure.

I asked motivational mindset mechanic, writer, sassy speaker and gorgeous soul behind Your Wild Life, Katie Dean what adventure means to her and I just love the words she shared:

“For years I thought ADVENTURE required a plane ticket, luggage and a little risk thrown in there. Now I know that true adventure is available to us in every moment of every day purely by choosing to live our lives with a perspective that allows there to be wonder in every moment. Adventure is in the eyes of the seeker and the heart of the child, and I don’t believe we should ever have to grow up. So I’ve just decided to grow wild.”

Adventure truly is available to us in every moment.

 

So I’ve devised some practical ideas to help you foster a greater sense of adventure in your life:

• Don’t fill every moment of your entire week with social obligations – keep some freedom in your schedule for spontaneity
• Try your walk or fitness outdoors in a different place to your usual to mix it up and give your brain some new sensory input
• Take a vacation somewhere you’ve never been before
• Make vision boards on paper or pinterest and fill them with places you would like to travel
• Immerse yourself in things that stretch your mind – whether it’s a new language (learning Italian always makes me feel alive) or a style of dance – (belly dance and salsa are my personal favourites)
• Trust the Universe, trust in God (if you’re into that), trust that things will work out whether you plan them meticulously or not!

 

Below are my go-to affirmations for adventure. These can help you work through any fear that might come up as a result of being outside of your comfort zone:

• Everything is working out for my highest good, only good can come from this experience (inspired by the beautiful American author and thought leader Louise Hay)
• I am courageous
• I’ve got this (this one definitely helped me through a home birth – a feat that required a whole lot of adventurousness!)
• I attract the people and situations that I need to prosper
• Everything is happening in divine order
• I trust life.

 

I’m not suggesting that you ought never plan anything – indeed weddings, birthdays, successful careers and lots of other special things do require immense planning and attention to detail. But there is always room for small miracles if you keep an open mind and a playful spirit.

 

Be adventurous dear one. Broaden your horizons. Allow yourself to grow and expand.

And always remember – no matter what the Universe sends your way while you’re busy adventuring … you’ve got this.