This post is EXTRA special! I had the privilege of writing this post as an article for my friend's book The Adventure Challenge. This book is designed in a fun and creative way to challenge you in adventure and exploration while building relationships/community. Check out The Adventure Challenge on YouTube here AND go Follow and Like it on Facebook. A kick-starter will be launched THIS coming Monday, October 15th, to pre-order the book - check that out here! You WANT this book in your life...especially since you'll find this article and another one written by yours truly in it!
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Have you ever read those “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books? There were like 50 versions of it (one for every stage of life), and if you grew up in a southern, Christian home, you more than likely read the one for teens or got a college edition as a graduation gift. There are actually lots of things that are good for our souls, and some things that we think are good for it but actually aren’t. Luckily, adventure is one of the things that is definitely good for it, or at least that has been my experience, especially over the last couple of years.
What is so great about adventure? What exactly does it do for the soul? I would say the best thing about adventure is the many discoveries that it leads to. Adventure has led me out of my norms, out my comfort zone, and out of complacency and has led me into relationships, into the unknown, into the scary and fun, and (the best thing) into knowing others and being known. Adventure has allowed me to discover things about myself that I didn’t know before, and it has allowed me to rediscover things about myself that have been buried by the everyday things that tend to build up over time.
Some of the very challenges in The Adventure Challenge have led me into discoveries about myself and others. I have found that I LOVE surprises, I truly value getting to watch others discover things about themselves as they adventure and take risks, I really enjoy being ridiculous with my friends, I like to try new things even when they freak me out, and I have realized how much I love exploring myself, my people and my community.
I grew up being the insecure, shy girl (although some wouldn’t know by the masks I wore) who had TONS of anxiety when trying new things, speaking in public, or doing anything beyond my comfort zone, which didn't take much since my comfort zone was the size of a grain of sand. I was always afraid of messing up, not measuring up, or just cared way too much about what others thought. Over the years, I have found that when I try to view things as adventures instead of scary or risky unknowns, my fears and insecurities dissipate, even if just a little, because adventure changes everything. It makes the scary or difficult things exciting, and it is even better when you do it with your people, because you get to adventure, discover and look ridiculous together. You get to know yourselves and each other, and you get to be known, which deep down is what we all really need and want.
Adventure has led me to climbing trees, jumping off cliffs, moving to new places, taking risks, understanding myself better, challenging my norms, and experiencing the brilliance and strength in my people. How does adventure do all of these things? It offers discovery. It uncovers the beauty in ourselves, our people and our surroundings. Adventure and discovery are the best things we could offer to ourselves and the people around us.
What is so great about adventure? What exactly does it do for the soul? I would say the best thing about adventure is the many discoveries that it leads to. Adventure has led me out of my norms, out my comfort zone, and out of complacency and has led me into relationships, into the unknown, into the scary and fun, and (the best thing) into knowing others and being known. Adventure has allowed me to discover things about myself that I didn’t know before, and it has allowed me to rediscover things about myself that have been buried by the everyday things that tend to build up over time.
Some of the very challenges in The Adventure Challenge have led me into discoveries about myself and others. I have found that I LOVE surprises, I truly value getting to watch others discover things about themselves as they adventure and take risks, I really enjoy being ridiculous with my friends, I like to try new things even when they freak me out, and I have realized how much I love exploring myself, my people and my community.
I grew up being the insecure, shy girl (although some wouldn’t know by the masks I wore) who had TONS of anxiety when trying new things, speaking in public, or doing anything beyond my comfort zone, which didn't take much since my comfort zone was the size of a grain of sand. I was always afraid of messing up, not measuring up, or just cared way too much about what others thought. Over the years, I have found that when I try to view things as adventures instead of scary or risky unknowns, my fears and insecurities dissipate, even if just a little, because adventure changes everything. It makes the scary or difficult things exciting, and it is even better when you do it with your people, because you get to adventure, discover and look ridiculous together. You get to know yourselves and each other, and you get to be known, which deep down is what we all really need and want.
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| "Up" - one of my fave movies! |
So, what are you waiting for? Go start your own adventure and see what you discover!
#adventureisoutthere
#adventureforthesoul
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