{ P on Mt. Huashan in Huayin, China }
Why is it that when we travel it's so easy to take all kinds of risks? Maybe because we're somewhere for the first time and we don't know when we might be back, so it's always a "once in a lifetime chance"? We bravely climb things we probably should not be climbing, since "this mountain ONLY exists here!" We eat things that... well, are most definitely NOT kosher, because when in Tokyo...we talk to strangers as they're not really strangers they're fellow friendly travelers, and that makes them practically family! And we speak our minds, since our friends are not here to judge us and our co-workers will never hear the drift of it...
Boy... sounds like we live on the edge when traveling and have one heck of a time!!!
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{ Mu-Hsien climbing Jade Mountain in Taiwan }
The other day I came across a terrifying looking hike. Immediately a thought crossed my mind, "I would NEVER..." As I continued looking at the pictures of the happy and smiling travelers I reluctantly admitted to myself that yep, I probably would have. If I'd have found myself at the entrance to the trail, I'd have talked myself into risking my life doing the plank path just because it's a "once in a lifetime chance!" When is the next time I'll get an opportunity to have tea at Buddhist temple on Mt. Haushan???
So what happens when we get home? We don't even want to leave the house if it's a bit rainy... Where does our sense of adventure go? But there is no Mt. Haushan where I live! And the mountains we have, I've done them! You might say pouting cutely while stomping your fuzzy bunny slipper. (And when I say "you" I mean "me," because I totally stomp my feet.)
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{ L in Colorado, USA }
No Mt. Haushan where you live? Oh really!? Maybe it's really not about a MOUNTAIN. It's about having the guts to live out experiences that get our blood pumping and heart racing, that make us say: "wow I can't believe I'm doing this!" And really, the opportunities to have these kinds of experiences are all around us if you really think about it. Let us count the ways...
Do you love your job? If not, then why not look for another one? If you're in the wrong field all together, change fields! Scary huh? Less scary then Mt. Haushan or..?
Is there someone you've been meaning to apologize to? And it's been years? Why not call them up... Blood pumping yet?
What about organizing your garage? Ok, less dramatic, but I bet the sense of accomplishment just might equal one after climbing Mt. Haushan. (This is on my list.)
We shouldn't loose our gutsy side just because we are not in a picturesque, once in a lifetime setting. The decision process to take the risk and go for it is really the same whether we climb a dangerous mountain or decide to change something in our lives.
I personally am very risk averse when it comes to climbing things, so there is no dangerous looking picture of me, but trust me I get out on the edge in other ways. Like those magenta, crocodile print boots I got in Prague...and now I leave you to meditate on all this at the Pulpit Rock.
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• • • LESSONS LEARNED #53 • • •
Risk taking is a sport of it's own.
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