“Venturing” becomes a huge part of who we are and how we lead our lives after we’ve done it on a consistent basis. I’ll be the first to tell you that I have become discontent with the modern world that we live in (and have been this way for quite some time). It is filled with the latest meme’s, garbage that news outlets want to feed us, it lacks passion and is far too fast paced.
It’s nothing to find people wearing thousand dollar watches who don’t make time for the things that matter. We are offered hundreds of ways to conveniently communicate with and encourage others, but no one seems to be using them for reasons that are bigger than themselves. And lastly on this little list, it seems that the majority of people in this world are totally content doing the same ‘ole/same ‘ole until they die.
I venture away from all of this as frequently as I can, so that I can reconnect with my family, ignite my passions, grow as an artist/individual and have space to breathe. By venturing it allows me to be removed from the busyness/stresses of life, i’m out of cell phone reception so I actually pay attention to the people i’m spending time with (can I get an amen?) and i’m almost always in areas that are untouched by human development (ie: reserves, certain state parks, remote trails, etc).
What sparked this post:
I posted the photo below on my Instagram recently. I went on one of my usual tangents describing the photo & what it made me think about when I took it. If you missed this post, i’ll go ahead and copy/paste the text along with it.
I don’t believe i’ve mentioned this before….But, on almost every venture I try to take a handful of photos that I can write stories about and share with you guys. These are the shots that make me feel something when I take them. It’s typically a “big” landscape or something that leaves me and my venturing crew in awe.
From my Instagram:
The further I venture away from my zones of comfort and away from all things familiar, the more I’m learning who I am. What my potentials are. And that the things worth doing and obtaining in life are almost always found down paths, and down waterways that are filled with fear, uncertainty and insecurities.
The best things in life won’t come easy. And we will not always be understood by others in our pursuit to obtain them. We won’t even be understood by the “logical” parts of our own brains, for that matter.
I am just a drop in the large ocean of people who make up the world’s population. And while I wish my voice was louder and heard by more, I will still continue to spread this message no matter how many people hear it…Find what moves your heart and makes you feel truly alive while doing it. And when you find it, do it as much as you can. We have one shot at life…Explore it for all it’s worth and don’t settle for mundane.
So, what do I mean by all of that?
Venturing removes you from your comfort zone:
Venturing, to me, is about more than seeing cool places and taking Instagram worthy pictures. Don’t get me wrong….I loveeeee all of that. But being in the outdoors and going on adventures removes me from a mundane lifestyle. It removes me from my comfort zone and challenges me to do things that I normally wouldn’t. I am brought away from distractions and able to discover more about myself and who I really am, away from the chaos of life.
Venturing teaches you that everything is not easy:
On my latest adventure as we were climbing up the side of a really steep/slippery hill one of my kids said to me, “Dad, this is soooooo hard” (in between all sorts of other whining). And granted, it was a hard hike for my kids. But I simply replied to her, “Not everything in life is gonna be easy. And the hardest things in life are the things worth doing”.
Here’s what I was getting at by saying that…Yes, it was a hard hike. We ventured down steep elevation and had to come right back up it. We climbed over driftwood and rocks that were taller than me. But it was made worth it when we saw the waterfalls and made the memories along the way.
Venturing to these remote places is an excellent real world experience. It’s an experience that will never be found while sitting on a couch, watching TV. Putting in the hard work to go on adventures like these teaches you perseverance, patience and countless other important life traits.
Why I Venture .
I venture because I long for more out of my life. And for the the lives of my wife and kids.
I venture because I want to see more of the beautiful world that we’re so blessed to live in.
I venture so I can learn lessons in life that force me grow as an individual.
I venture because my kids won’t remember their favorite day in front of a TV.
I venture so I can have stories & life experiences to share with others.
I venture because it makes me feel alive & it moves my heart.
What is your passion? What makes you feel alive while doing it? What moves your heart and makes you grow as an individual?
For me, it’s venturing, making memories and yes….Taking “Instagram Worthy” pictures.
Whatever your “thing” is, I urge you to do it as much as you possibly can. I know it’s cheesy sounding, but we only have one shot at life. Really think about that, one shot. Make it count.
