Courage for Adventure

Life is more fulfilling when you push yourself to explore beyond your comfort zones.

"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." — American author and teacher John A. Shedd

Adventure is all around us. In one light it might present itself as an inconvenience, a stranger, an expense, or even a danger — all good reasons to stay in harbor.

From another angle, however, the same challenges could be gateways to new experiences and new friends, places we’ve never seen, and memories made with family or others while able. We don’t know how many remaining sailing days are allotted to us, and it would be a tragedy to rust away our lives chained to the safety of an anchor.

Gleaner protection and peace of mind free us to live life as it was intended, with exhilaration rather than timidity, and to share that. The adventures of youth taught us much about ourselves and helped us form our priorities. In the same way, researchers have found that trying new things improves our brain health, mental wellness, and ability to re-prioritize our daily lives. It can also make us a little more aware and grateful for each moment.

Summer and fall provide an abundance of adventure opportunities because so much is accessible, but exploration can be found anywhere and anytime. Here are a few ideas:

1. TAKE A FAMILY TRIP

Late summer and early fall excursions offer their own charms and challenges. Look for day trips to county fairs and festivals. As some schools resume, less crowded state parks, forests or beaches provide precious weekend memories stored up before winter arrives.

2. TRY A CHALLENGING ACTIVITY

Enjoy the benefits of being outdoors and testing your endurance. You might want to hike a long trail, swim or kayak in a lake, or bicycle one of the nation’s innumerable routes, possibly even on a mountain bike or tandem bicycle. Remember to wear a helmet!

3. CONNECT WITH GOD

There’s no greater adventure than listening to — and then walking with — God. While focusing on our physical and mental adventures, remember the spiritual adventure we’re called to join. Seek the courage to go deeper in your relationship. Fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith.

4. FIND A NEW GROUP THAT ALIGNS WITH YOUR PURPOSES

Helping strangers often feels intimidating but when done with a group it becomes a manageable way to help “our neighbors,” whether inside our local community or beyond. Whether it’s an animal shelter, a youth organization, or a group that builds housing to help the homeless, finding others who need your time and talents improves your own well-being.

5. EXPAND YOUR SKILLS

Pick up a new hobby or add to an existing one. Geocaching, photography or outdoor sketching are great for summer. Or try something completely different like learning to prepare a series of new meals (check out Sheryl Clark’s recipe for grilled salmon and avocado salsa on page 31).

6. TACKLE THE GARAGE (OR SOME OTHER PROJECT)

Improvement projects can be a different type of scary adventure, especially if we’ve never tried one before. But take it one step at a time, make your corner of the world a bit better, and earn a sense of accomplishment.

7. STEP INTO ANOTHER WORLD

Grab a good book, find some new music, or start an audiobook, and take your mind on a journey. Travel through time. Take on a fictional masterpiece, or maybe learn about a real-life adventurer and become inspired.

8. TRAVEL TO THE UNKNOWN

Visit a town, region or nation you’ve never been to. New experiences stimulate our brains, give us new ideas, and teach us about our own strengths and weaknesses. Traveling is a great way to experience our interconnectedness. It might even make us mindful of our own blessings. Explore!

9. CHASE YOUR ROOTS

Discover adventures within your own family history by tracing your ancestry. Find surprises and connect with distant relatives. It might involve all sorts of activities including calling family members, visiting libraries to research old newspapers, travels to other states, and online sleuthing.

10. ONCE-IN-ALIFETIME THRILLS

Spice up your wish list with something you’ll never forget. Imagine hot air ballooning in Egypt, bending backward to kiss the Blarney Stone in Ireland, or skydiving over Niagara Falls! (With the help of an instructor, anyone can try the last one.)

Whatever our adventure, it begins with a brave first act to explore beyond our safe harbors.