Adventure: Being Open to Possibilities
March 23, 2009
I believe there are two types of adventurous spirits. The first type is like my dad and my husband: those who go out looking for adventures, challenges and opportunities. The second type is like my mom: those who would be perfectly content to sit at home with the family and a good book, but who are always up for adventure at a moment’s notice.
This is a picture of my mom, taking ultralight lessons in Perris, California, because my dad thought it would be a neat experience. I am guessing she would not have come up with this on her own, as her ideal way to spend a Saturday. But far be it from her to be the stick in the mud. My mom was always able and willing to keep up with my dad’s plans and schemes.
In last week’s post, Simple Family Excursions, I mentioned that you don’t always have to have major adventures to get out and really enjoy life. Today I would like to add that you don’t even have to be the one coming up with different or interesting things to do. But it does help if you are open to possibilities and new experiences. You never know what you might discover when you try new things.
“I do not think that I will ever reach a stage when I will say, ‘This is what I believe. Finished.’ What I believe is alive… and open to growth.” (Madeleine L’Engle)
When I was 17, just before starting my freshman year in college, my dad asked me to go with him to Oshkosh. For those of you who don’t know, Oshkosh is a HUGE airshow and aviation camp held every year in Oshkosh, Wisconsin (I just like repeating that name). We flew up there in a V-Tail Bonanza and camped in a tent beside the plane for one week, along with hundreds of thousands of pilots from all over the world. Qantas even brings in a 747 full of Australian pilots to join in the festivities.
At the time, I was not a pilot, nor was I in any way interested in flying. In fact, I was completely mechanically challenged and not even a great driver. But at that airshow I fell head over heels in love with flying. When I got back to California, I found a fantastic flight instructor, worked harder than I have ever worked on anything, and got my license in 19 days… just in time to start school. I then used all my vacations to get the more advanced ratings and turned out to be a pretty good pilot (all modesty aside, since we are among friends here).Â
A passion that I never even knew I was capable of was born that summer because I was willing to go along and have a new experience. My whole family had all sorts of great experiences because my dad was unwilling to settle into a boring routine. He came up with great ideas, and all we had to do was say, “Sure! Why Not?”
Have you ever had the experience of just going along with someone else’s (possibly crazy) plans and discovering that you really enjoyed it?
No related posts.
Posted in Spirit of Adventure, choices, happiness
content rss
Lisis, this makes me think of Federico, my friend in Costa Rica. He is always putting together new and exciting mountain biking rides for us, because he loves going downhill, and fast! I’m always reluctant to go, because I can never keep up with him and I usually end up with some bumps and bruises along the way. But, after it’s all said and done, I always have a great time and keep going back for more. Thanks for the post, Jeff Blackston
You know, Jeff, I was actually thinking about you and Federico as I was writing this post. I will never forget when we moved to Costa Rica… you had been in country for about a week and he took you on a mountain bike ride that ended up dislocating your shoulder! Or another ride, when you guys were on the bikes for seven hours! But both of those adventures provided some of your favorite memories.
For those of you wondering why my hubbie and I are communicating through blog comments… I am still in Costa Rica, and he’s been back in the States for a week.
Today is my last day here; I will be heading to the airport in about two hours… Fair warning: I’ll be back to prowling the fellowship of the blogs this week.
Lisis
Hi Lisis,
When I was a kid, my dad loved to travel and he is always liked to go off the beaten path. I remember being in some weird situations because of him.
When I began traveling on my own, I ended up doing the same thing too. I go see the touristy stuff for about a day, then the rest of the time I go native and just wander around. It is so much fun what you discover when you go off the beaten path. I do this on every trip and each trip becomes this amazing adventure.
Have a safe journey home and I will look forward to see you around the fellowship of the blogs.
follow @HappyLotus on twitter
Lisis, if you want, just sit tight, cancel your flight and I’ll book a ONE WAY FLIGHT TO COSTA RICA!
@Jeff,
It’s nice to finally get to meet you!
This is exciting! I feel like I’m watching a romantic adventure on television:
“Has Lisis already boarded the plane back to Georgia? Will Jeff return to Costa Rica? Stay tuned for another exciting episode of Quest for Balance!”
OMG… you guys have NO idea what a dramatic turn this whole adventure has taken! I am currently “imprisoned” abroad!! Not exactly in a prison, but I am not allowed to leave the country!
My son and I got dropped off at the airport this morning, we paid our departure taxes, then went to the customs line. They said I could NOT leave the country without official permission from Jeff and the Costa Rican immigration office because my son is a registered Costa Rican citizen (even though we only have U.S. passports.)
“What!?” We both burst into tears, freaking out about what to do about it since all the documents have to be stamped and sealed by the right governing bodies. Needless to say, we missed our flight. IF we can resolve this today, we will be going home tomorrow. If not… I may actually need Jeff to come down and RESCUE me!
How romantic is THAT!? =-)
Then again, he has been wanting to move us back to Costa Rica. Now that I am trapped here, he really COULD get a one-way ticket down! We can’t leave without his permission.
Well… I will just have to let you know how it all turns out. I have scheduled a post to run tomorrow (since I hope to be traveling) but if I am still here, I’ll update you in the comments.
Someone get me out of here!
That’s an adventure you weren’t exactly looking to have, isn’t it?! We’ll be hoping for your speedy return! : ) –A
follow @FairyBlogMother on twitter
Lisis,
On the post, I think it’s cool that you can fly. I’m more like your Mom – I like small unexpected adventures.
On getting out of Costa Rica, good luck!
I’m trying to figure out how to get IN to Costa Rica.
That photo of your mom is too cool. That looks like a fun activity, for sure.
follow @EWanderlust on twitter
I love Madeleine L’Engle, and this is an awesome article. When I was little, I liked rollercoasters, but for some reason I was scared to death of being upside down. My mother made me go on some loop the loop boat/spaceship thing at Astroworld, and I screamed and cried until I realized how funny my hair looked, hanging upside down. Since then I absolutely love being upside down. No longer short enough for hanging upside down on the monkey bars – but still pursue everything else I can.
This is certainly not an “adult” adventure…but it is an adventure that changed my perspective.
follow @jessicakunkel on twitter
@ Everyone: I finally made it out of the clutches of Costa Rican Immigration. I’m back home and ready to get caught up.
@ Gennaro: My mom was one cool chick, believe me.
@ Jessica: What a great story! I had a similar experience when I flew with an aerobatic pilot. I nearly passed out in anticipation of the flight, but when it was over, I wanted to do it again. You just never know if you will like something until you have tried it (Green Eggs and Ham, anyone?).
follow @Serene_Balance on twitter
[...] (see Adventure: Climbing Colorado’s Fourteeners), some achieve a spirit of adventure (see Adventure: Being Open to Possibilities), and some, like me, have adventure thrust upon them (keep [...]