Leaning Into the Adventure of Life

The more we can take a step back, see from a higher perspective, and recognize that life is an adventure, the greater opportunity we have to pull ourselves out of failures and setbacks with growth, strength, and resilience leading the way. We will invariably get caught in storms that threaten to drown us. That is a natural part of living in this world. Will we sink or will we swim and find a way to ride the waves?

One of my favorite quotes is: "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain." -Vivian Greene. I will be the first to admit that my watery emotions take me for quite the ride when I hit my own storms. It is an adventure of its own kind for sure. And yet, through the powers of curiosity and gratitude, I have learned how to dance in the rain of any storm and pick up gems of wisdom along the way.

Awareness is the beginning step in opening us up to a growth mindset. Becoming aware of our own actions and the impact those actions are having on our lives can support us in desiring to chart a new course, modify our direction, or learn a new skill that will help us achieve our ultimate goals. When we are caught in the storms of life, it is so easy to shift into blaming our circumstances or someone else without becoming curious within. This is often rooted in a mindset filled with fear or trauma. It's a shield to protect us from what we don't want to face, and being brave enough to drop that shield is the beginning of awareness.

Seeing life as an adventure honors all emotions and all circumstances in the light of choosing to grow and become who we were truly meant to be. We seek to gain knowledge and wisdom that helps us respond differently, love more deeply and authentically, and uncover the greatest gifts that are hidden deep within the core of who we are. In the Bhagavad Gita, it is said that our core natures are covered by layers upon layers of dust accumulated for years together. It takes patience and a sincere desire to do the dirty work of scrubbing our hearts, clearing the dust, shedding the masks, and choosing to discover the amazing gifts hidden deep within.

We all have a wise inner companion, a guide, and a compass on this adventure called life. We are divine beings living a human experience. The more we can step back, pause, and become curious from the heart space. where this divine companion resides, the greater chance we have to hear that soft whisper shining a light and giving us direction. We also have additional tools available through learning from other adventurers, mentors, and various wisdom texts that resonate deep in the core of who we are. I know I wouldn't be where I am today without the wisdom coming through various resources, mentors, counselors, and family and friends who have decided to adventure alongside me, offering their encouragement, wisdom, and conscious correction to get me back on track. I am also deeply grateful for, and indebted to, the power of spiritual mantra meditation in calming the storms of my watery emotions, soothing my senses, and nourishing my heart with loving mercy.

The knowledge we gain on our journey will help us understand how to uniquely navigate the adventure in our own way through knowing when to change direction, when to press forward, and when to pause, rest, and renew our energy sources. The adventure comes with various seasons that require various actions, and knowing our inner nature can help us take action that is in alignment with who we are. We all have different needs within this adventure, and knowing what those needs are, being able to speak those needs, and trusting in ourselves to meet those needs will keep our forward momentum going even if we find ourselves in a space of needing to rest and renew.

What is your unique life adventure? What lessons have you learned over the years that have shaped who you are today? What adventures are you looking forward to and how are you choosing to dance in the rain? In what ways are you willing to see your obstacles and setbacks in a new light, using them to your advantage and growing in empowerment? These are the questions that can spark curiosity, offer reassurance of how far you have come, and remind you that your story isn't over yet. Walt Disney offered us insight into the adventure that awaits with his quote used in the move, Meet the Robinsons: "Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things… and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths."

May you keep moving forward each new day, seeing adventure, mystery, and magic in the simplest of ways.

Sunbeams peek through scattered clouds and illuminate the dense green forest. -Nartaki Heinhold, Wasatch National Forest Utah