Adventure. An unusual and exciting experience or activity. That’s it.
It doesn’t mean summiting Mt. Everest or trekking through the wilderness or taking a spontaneous trip to Italy. Those are certainly kinds of adventure, of course, but unless you’re a member of the North Face Expedition team or a millionaire with loads of free time, these experiences are few and far between. Humans crave adventure because, well, we have an innate desire to explore, discover, learn and try new things. So instead of dreaming about hiking the Appalachian Trail and going snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, I encourage you to look for excitement in the mundane. Seek fun in the midst of a predictable routine, because anybody can feel alive after an exotic trip to a foreign place. Instead, can you find entertainment despite the banality of everyday life?
One of the first and most obvious ways to spice your adventure life up is to switch things around. The other day, my roommate and I decided to walk a different route to our Bible study. It wasn’t necessarily groundbreaking or life changing, but it provided for a different set of scenery and a break from the norm. We were also able to have some good laughs about our adventurous decision.
We certainly can’t control some things about our busy lives, such as our class or work schedule, organization commitments or deadlines. This is why it’s so important to implement spur-of-the-moment decisions like changing up your lunch order or exercise regimen. These tiny, minuscule details add up to create a boring cycle of waking up and going through the same motions every day.
Our brains and bodies were not created to complete the expected, they were created to helps us experience life in a unique and wonderful way. Being physically and mentally strong helps us do this, which is why I think it’s especially important to maintain overall health and wellness. You’re not going to be able to take a spontaneous rock climbing trip if you can’t rock climb!
We’re investing in our future when we choose to eat balanced meals, go to the gym, and make other healthy decisions. Also, who doesn’t want some almost-abs when spring break rolls around?
So, why’d I write this article? Because I’m tired of hearing that there’s “nothing to do” as an excuse to watch Netflix for hours on end or sit around playing games on an iPhone for far too long. Russell from "Up" said it best, "Adventure is out there!"
Sometimes it's hidden in the deceit of laziness or in the shadows of fruitlessness, but it is undoubtedly present. This 2016, I encourage you to seek exciting activity in the midst of a lackluster routine. It is so worth it. I promise.
