“Adventure has more to do with how you look at a situation than the situation itself.”
Adventure State of Mind
Adventure is Everywhere
Have you ever felt like adventure was completely out of reach? You don’t have the time, you don’t have the money, etc.
It’s true that you need to put in some effort to have an adventure but it doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.
You don’t have to plan a year long expedition across the world to call it an adventure. It has more to do with how you look at a situation than the situation itself. Adventure is everywhere.
What even is an adventure?
Google defines adventure as “an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity.”
Keyword: unusual. It doesn’t have to be dangerous to be exciting. I like to look at even the most mundane situations as an opportunity for adventure. Anytime I find myself in circumstances that are beyond my control or different from the routine, I take a moment to consider my options. Honestly, my initial reaction is often a sense of panic. The unexpected can be scary. But then I remind myself to take a breath and look for the potential. Anything that is unusual to you can be exciting, therefore an adventure.
Embrace the opportunity that comes from these difficulties and turn that frown upside down. Take a moment to immerse yourself in your surroundings and find beauty or interest to absorb.
If you look at every situation as something that has the capacity to be exciting, you’ll find that a whole new world opens up for you.
A Whole New World
Why should you make adventure a part of your life? First of all, why wouldn’t you want to open yourself up to wonder and passion? But aside from that, I find that taking this outlook on life creates a more positive connection to the world around you. When you decide to look at hardship as an adventure, you eliminate all or most of the negativity that would usually accompany such situations. It’s like a spoonful of sugar but you might die. Just kidding! You probably won’t die. But you will learn more about yourself and your town and, if you’re lucky, the rest of the world.
Yes and?
I know, all of that sounds wonderful but now you’re wondering how can you actually find this so-called adventure wherever you are?
I’ll take a cue from improv and suggest a “yes and” philosophy.. When faced with adversity or hardship just look it in the face, accept it and ask what’s next. Never give up, never surrender. Don’t let the stress or fear take over and overwhelm you. Rise above and let it take you for a ride.
Put ‘em together and what have you got?
Well, it’s not quite bibbidi-bobbidi-boo but it’s almost like magic. Suddenly, you’ll find adventure lurking around every corner. Remember, just tell yourself “We’re going on an adventure” and that’s where you’ll find yourself.
I realize that there are situations that are not fun and can be very stressful. And I’m not trying to say that by calling it an adventure everything will magically get better. But if you look for even the smallest glimmer of positivity in these dark places you will almost always find some light. All I’m saying is that you should take hold of that light and focus on it so that it grows into a shining beacon of hope. Roll with the punches and go where life takes you. Sometimes by fighting against the tide you exhaust yourself and end up drowning is a sea of despair. I think this is largely unnecessary.
If you face your challenges and look for the good you can be in control. You can’t control every situation but you can control your reaction to it. If you release negativity and embrace the opportunity for adventure, you will not encounter nearly as much disappointment in life.
I don’t promise to stop quoting Disney movies anytime soon but I promise that if you begin to look for adventure, you will find it in everyday life. And that life will be all the better for it.
