When is the last time you made a discovery that completely changed the way you viewed the world?

Whether it was yesterday, last month or two years ago, chances are it doesn’t happen very frequently these days. At least not as frequently as when we were children, exploring with complete awe, curiosity and open-mindedness, everything we came into contact with.

But as we age, we lose our desire for discovery, and more importantly, we lose the benefits of such exploration. We start to believe that we already have all of the information we need to shape our world views and form our opinions.

Unfortunately, without continued personal exploration, we often end up basing our world views on the biased thoughts and beliefs of others. As a a result, we find ourselves hating and fearing people who live on the other side of the planet simply because we are told to do so, even though we don’t really know anything at all about those people.

How can we justify all of this negativity without viewing the world through the eyes of others?

How can we support wars that take place for reasons that we truly do not understand? How can we ignore human rights abuses in order to have our store shelves stocked with cheaper goods?

We can’t. Yet we do.

Recently, I began thinking about what has led me to spend the past ten years constantly wandering around the globe. While it may appear that I’m simply addicted to travel, I realized that I am actually addicted to exploration and discovery, just as I was when I was a kid. Traveling to me has much less to do with the name of the country I am visiting than it does with the opportunity to interact with people I would ordinarily never come into contact with.

The goal of my explorations is to actively pursue, and be challenged by, a first-hand education through cultural immersion and ordinary human interactions. If my beliefs are not constantly tested and re-shaped, then I am at serious risk of allowing the hatred, the fear and the negativity to continue in this world unchecked. However, if I can fill my life with new discoveries about people and places that I admit I know nothing about, then I can play a role in promoting respect, equality, and the value of diversity.

It is what being a global citizen is all about.

When we discover for ourselves, we constantly experience eye-opening moments of wonder, such as,  “Wow! These people actually are not evil.” Or “Wow! This place is not at all what I thought.” And it is such discoveries that help to dissolve harmful misunderstandings, destroy false assumptions and in turn, ever so slowly, change the world for the better.

So, why have we lost our desire for exploration over the years?

Perhaps it has become too inconvenient or troublesome to spend time searching for first-hand knowledge. It is without a doubt much easier to take a few tidbits of information we hear on the news or read online, piece it all together and create an entire world view out of them.

But exploration really isn’t so inconvenient. And although the term is often associated with extensive world travel, modern exploration can take place within your own home, town or region.

Speak to people you would not ordinarily come into contact with, learn about a culture or country you know nothing about or become an email pen pal with someone in a far away land.

I firmly believe that being a global citizen is a frame of mind, not a passport full of stamps.

And whether you take the traveling or non-traveling approach, one thing is definitely guaranteed–exploration is exhilarating! It involves a child-like curiosity and genuine addiction to personally discovering what lies beyond the horizon. This is a far more rewarding method of understanding the world than simply assuming we already know what’s out there.

In fact, you’ll often find the difference in results between the two methods to be astonishingly different. And when given a choice between blind-belief, developed more by the need for belief than from true experience, or first-hand knowledge resulting from direct interactions, the choice to me seems downright obvious.

With that in mind, I hope we will all consider becoming explorers once again!

What about you?

Are you in touch with your child-like spirit of adventure? Do you still explore?

Note From Lisis: If you haven’t met Earl, consider visiting his blog, Wandering Earl, so you can do what I do: travel vicariously through him!

When I Grow Up, I Want to Be an Explorer! is a post from: Quest for Balance

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This is me, in my current cocoon… isn’t it lovely? If I’ve got to curl up and wait for my next phase to begin, I might as well do it in style, right?

I didn’t want to spin my cocoon right now; I tried to fight it off. But the cold, the darkness, and a few other factors all conspired against me, held me down, and whispered in my ear, “It is time to turn inward and begin the metamorphosis.”

I protest, “What metamorphosis? I like where I am now! What’s coming next?”

The answer, “You’ll see…”

That’s all I know.

It’s been almost a year since I started this blog. At the time I had no idea what blogging even was; I wrote only in my journals. Today I looked back at the last page of my journal at the end of 2008, and this is what I found:

So this is it, the last page of this journal. Time to get a new one. Time to start something else. Perhaps, in my next journal, I can embrace the solitude, the isolation, the sorrow… feel it, experience it, write about it. I could write short stories, essays, poems and regular journal entries. Maybe I can commit to writing every single day. It’ll give me something to do. I can keep myself company.

I wonder if I should write about specific topics, or just let my mind wander untethered? I wonder if anything I write will be useful to anyone other than me? I wonder if I will produce only useless, depressing drivel?

It’s always a little emotional for me when I complete one journal… one collection of ideas from a certain phase in my life. I’m not sure how to begin the next one… the next journal, the next phase.

I guess my next journal ended up being this blog. I would like to think at least some of it was not useless drivel, and that along the way one or two people were helped by it.

I really don’t know where I’m headed next, or what direction this blog will take. I’ve been spending my days doing random things, like hanging out with Hunter, watching Star Trek repeatedly (I love that movie!), reading, thinking, feeling, writing in my journals, and spinning my lovely cocoon.

Maybe this counts as my new adventure? In any case, it is necessary and, as Spock’s daddy so eloquently said, “What is necessary is never unwise.”

One of these days my metamorphosis will be complete, and I will have my new direction and, hopefully, something worth sharing with the world.

Thank You!!!

PS: Even in my pink cocoon, I still have email. It’s a Wi-Fi hot spot.

(Photo Credit)

Adventure? Feeling Trapped in My Lovely Cocoon is a post from: Quest for Balance

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The famous “Stick Season” is here at last! I’m not sure if that’s actually a good thing, because all the pretty fall leaves are gone and we are now dangerously close to the notorious Vermont Winter (eek!). BUT, we have been making the most of this unofficial season to get out and hike some trails, like Camel’s Hump, and Hunger Mountain (where these pictures were taken.)

It has actually been really, really, really cold lately; although you wouldn’t know it since people are still out in tee shirts and flip flops! But on this day, the weather was a beaut! The sun was out, the skies were clear, and it was downright warm. It was lovely to be able to thaw out my bones a little before bracing for… that season whose name we do not dare mention.

Seriously, every single person who hears we moved here from Georgia asks us why in the world we would leave that warm weather and come here? The winters, they say, are very cold and very long… a lot of fun until after New Year’s. Then, when you are ready for Spring, the cold lasts for 3 or 4 or 5 more months! Time to find out what we are made of, I guess. In the meantime, we’re trying to soak up the rays and play outside as much as we can.

We’re looking pretty happy, right? Two things happened recently that have us in a fairly chipper mood. First, we got registered and approved for Vermont’s universal health care program. This is a big deal for us because we had NONE. Our window for COBRA had expired and we did not elect it, because it’s ridiculously expensive! The added benefit of having health care that isn’t tied to your job is you can then get any job you want. You don’t have to sell your soul to a corporate nightmare just for the insurance. Which brings us to the second recent development:

Jeff got a job! And not just any job, but a job at Eastern Mountain Sports… selling gear and equipment for outdoor adventures. Now, for those of you who are new to Quest for Balance, let me just say that this is a dream come true for him. I believe Jeff would work there every day from open to close even without pay, just to be around gear, other gear-heads, and fellow outdoor enthusiasts. You know you are doing your dream job when you would gladly do it for free. (However, in the unlikely event that Jeff’s boss is reading this, please note: his wife would prefer you continued to pay him. Thanks!)

We still have to fill in a few more pieces of the financial puzzle in order to make our Vermont adventure work out long term, but we are certainly much closer than we were when we got here. Not only that… HE LOVES IT!!!! I can’t tell you how happy that makes me, although you probably get the idea.

Here’s Jeff (and Hunter) in a moment of quiet reflection, gazing at what Hunter called, “a natural spring of beer,” because it was brownish and there were a few broken bottles in the vicinity. Meanwhile, Jeff and I were thinking, “If this is a natural spring of beer, we’re moving up here!” We never did taste it, for obvious reasons, but we’re pretty sure it isn’t.

That’s pretty much it, by way of an update. I suppose I could try to find a way to make this into some major life lesson, or give you a really good reason why reading this wasn’t a colossal waste of your time. But I don’t think I will.

Consider this post a palate cleanser for your brain.

Some things aren’t strategically meaningful or complex or hugely important; but they are still worth sharing.

Thanks!!!

Adventure: Frolicking in Vermont’s Stick Season is a post from: Quest for Balance

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I wrote this last week, in my pen and paper journal, because I was feeling a little anxious about something I was about to do. It wasn’t making any sense to me, and yet I felt I should follow “the signs” and do it anyway. I’ve decided to share it here with you, unedited.

*

I knew a girl (we’ll call her Sally) who was four years old. She loved to ask, “Why?” for every little thing. One day, I started to make a salad. I took out all the ingredients and put them on the counter. When she asked what I was making, I told her… “Salad.”

Sally: “Why are you making a salad?”

Me: “Um… I don’t know. I guess because it’s lunch time and I’m hungry.”
(I suppose I could’ve made some other food, but chose to make salad.)

Sally: “Why are you cutting those tomatoes?”

Me: “To put in my salad.”
(I started thinking, WHY are you asking me so many questions?!)

Sally: “Why are you putting peppers in the salad?”

Me: (Starting to get a little irritated…) “Because, I like them.”
(I was thinking, What difference does it make? Let me be!)

Sally: “Why are you using vinegar? That’s yucky!”

Me: “Because I happen to LIKE vinegar.”
(Thinking, WHY couldn’t you just let me make my salad in peace?!)

Anyway, I got to thinking recently… “WHY?” is not a very relevant question in daily life (unless you are a scientist). It doesn’t really matter why I’m making food, why it is a salad, why I chose each vegetable, and why I added vinegar… does it?

I just did. Period.

Having to know and understand the reason for everything we do is exhausting! What if, instead, we just DO. Just BE.

What if we ask, “Why Not?”

Today I am going to a community meditation session with a bunch of strangers. WHY? I don’t know. I don’t need to know.

I just AM.

*

UPDATE FROM LATER THAT DAY:

So, I went to the place where the meditation was supposed to be… only, they aren’t there anymore. When I showed up, I saw a woman (about my age) working with fire and metal. (Note to self: Coolness!)

I knocked, and asked about the wellness studio. She didn’t know anything about it, but said she had just moved into that art studio… she’s a metal smith who recently moved here.

I could’ve just said, “Thanks,” and left. In fact, that was what I wanted to do. But, instead I said, “Um… I believe that everything happens for a reason; there are no accidents. I don’t know WHY, but I feel certain I was supposed to meet you.”

She then invited me in, showed me her studio, and told me she had almost moved to the Adirondacks, but felt “pulled” to move here. I said, “No way! Me too! I almost moved to Johnstown!” Anyway, we talked for a while, and she was very nice. We exchanged information and hope to meet for coffee soon.

So, I felt called to that place for a meditation that was not to be and, instead, met this woman who is very interesting and doesn’t know anyone in town yet.

WHY?

Was it for me? Is she somehow going to help me with my goals and dreams? Was it for her? Is she lonely and wanting someone to talk to? Is it for something else entirely?

I don’t know. I don’t care. It just IS.

We don’t always have to know or understand the reasons why we want to do things. We just need to do them. Follow our hearts, our feelings, our dreams.

*

LATEST UPDATE:

After that meeting, I got inspired to dabble in art. I’ve always liked “the arts” in general, but I decided to start creating my own art… just for the fun of it. I have been taking pictures of my Extreme Candle Meditation sessions in order to create unique colors and textures from molten wax. You can see some samples of my “work” (that sounds so Bohemian, doesn’t it?) at Deviant Art.

I wonder if this woman I met was just meant to inspire me… to be my catalyst? Who knows? I followed my intuition, went where I felt I should, and ended up inspired.

What more could I ask for?

What about You?

Do you get bogged down trying to have good reasons for everything you do? Do you need to understand why everything happens, or why people do what they do? Could you replace “Why?” with “Why not?”

Thanks!

(Photo Credit)

Shifting from “Why?” to “Why Not?” is a post from: Quest for Balance

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(Notice the tiny pumpkin in front of the A… it was strapped down, just like the giant.)

I first heard about the Giant Pumpkin Regatta on a Saturday Night Live Weekend Update skit. I believe Seth Meyers was pointing out how incredibly insane Vermonters must be to carve out giant pumpkins and then race them on the way-too-cold waters of Lake Champlain.

The moment I saw that skit I knew I would have to attend that event some day. As it turns out, the race was planned for my birthday! So, we went. I decided to share a bit of it here with you because these guys are all about having a Spirit of Adventure in everyday life.

Some of those pumpkins were close to 1,000 pounds! This is what is left of some of them. Apparently, the seeds will be gathered carefully and saved for next year’s crop… and race. The bumper sticker on the farmer’s truck says: “The Xtreme Sport of Gardening.” Ha! I love that!!

The teams spent all morning carving and painting the giant pumpkins, which then had to be lowered into the water with a tractor! I believe they said the water was about 58 degrees… and it was a super windy (and cold!) day.

These two guys are the same ones I’d seen featured on the SNL skit… they’re like celebrities, sort of. They’re actually really crazy, nutty guys who I happen to have seen on T.V. late one Saturday night, for about 20 seconds, but still… it was very exciting to see them in person!

Hunter and I, right down at the water’s edge, enjoying the view, the fun, the nuttiness, and the positive energy of everyone around us. You know when people go out of their way to see grown ups race in giant pumpkins, they must have a Spirit of Adventure and a well-developed sense of humor. I love to be around people like that… it’s contagious, you know. (PS: Those mountains in the background, on the other side of the lake… that’s the Adirondacks, in New York!)

This guy capsized (flipped over into the frigid water) wearing shorts and a T shirt! He could’ve opted to be fished out of the water but, instead, he swam the pumpkin all the way back, against the current. The crowd went wild, chanting, “JUST KEEP SWIMMING!!!” in a Finding Nemo sort of way. I felt like we were all a bunch of kids, with our hopes pinned to this one crazy guy.

In the end, it was Team Ben & Jerry’s who brought home the trophy for the company sponsor relay race. One of the team members was dressed like a cow, complete with udders and horns. This one, coming in for the win, wore the horns but opted for the Tie Dye T Shirt instead. I can’t say that I blame her.

Ah… nothing like a day at the races with the family. Here we are, posing with a couple of gentle giants. The one immediately behind me is the State champ. I have to say, this was one heck of a way to spend my birthday!

What about you?

Would you have what it takes to race one of these pumpkins? Have you ever heard of anything more random? Do you find this sort of nowhere-near-the-box thinking as refreshing as I do? Or, is it just plain crazy?

Adventure: The Lake Champlain Giant Pumpkin Regatta is a post from: Quest for Balance

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