My journey continues as I work to get my arms around what I am all about – what defines me – what drives me. I’m grabbing hold of ten words that put some meaning to the things and attitudes that I hold dear. Again, I invite you on this journey with me. As I share my key words, my values, be thinking about what gives meaning to who you are.
Last week I talked about community. I love my community. I love that we are growing together – supporting and challenging one another.
This week, I want to share my second word – adventure. Sometimes, when people think of adventure, they want to combine it with activities that are dangerous and risky. I don’t want to take it that far. When I think of adventure, I think of exploration and of learning. Of getting outside of my comfort zone and challenging myself.
It reminded me of a time when we were celebrating the Jewish Passover with friends. If you don’t know of Passover, it was an event where God saved the Hebrew slaves while taking the lives of the firstborns of all the Egyptians. Because of the events that Passover evening, the Jews were set free. For the sake of time, I’m leaving out a lot of details about how they got to the place where they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.
As we talked about their 40-year experience, the question was asked of the group – “If you knew you were going to be on a 40-year journey, like they did, what one thing would you take with you?” There were many different answers. Me? My answer was easy. I would take my bike.
Growing up, my bike took me places. It didn’t hold me down. As an adult, my bike still takes me places. With my bike, I can explore. I can push. I can learn. I want to visit towns that are out of the way and learn about the people who live there – what’s important to them, what customs they have.
I’m not one of those people who wants to travel to see all the historic places. They are nice, and they have their place. But I want to get out and go see the places and people that are often overlooked. Their lives are likely not simple, but often heroic.
Those people motivate and challenge me. It’s one of the reasons we talk about retirement being different. What are the things that we are going to do that allow us to live life to its fullest for as long as physically and mentally possible.
I’m hopeful we can come together on an adventure or two. I look forward to hearing about journeys you have made recently or in your youth. We are a unique set of friends who challenge and encourage one another. And for that, I will always be grateful.