Have the biggest adventure of your life

I have always been fond of dreaming up quests and escapades.

The mundane does not interest me and I am pulled by the sweet temptation of adventure. So, 12 months ago I bought a one way ticket to Australia, and what followed has been the biggest adventure of my life.

To travel to the other side of the world in search of adventure is not a new concept. When Christopher Columbus embarked on his maiden voyage across the globe, he, like any intrepid explorer, was curious as to what lay over the water and was determined in his quest for new and unchartered lands.

We’re a curious bunch, us humans, and we often become complacent in our admiration of home soil. We grow restless to seek new and exotic landscapes to rekindle our connection with the earth, discover the beauty of the planet and forge our own maiden voyages. We recognise the shared sense of awe and appreciation in discovering unusual lands and their accompanying cultures.

We live on a huge, beautiful, wild, planet – to think we might only see a small fraction of it in our lifetime  seems unimaginable. 6 Continents, 7 billion people, 2 hemispheres, various time zones, tropical rainforests, arid deserts, snow capped mountains, ice-ridden landscapes, ancient tribes and modern mega cities, jungles, great expansive plains containing a great cacophony of life and vast expanses of ocean and coral reefs….

All contribute to this extraordinary ball of rock we call our home.

There is a great attraction in the unfamiliar, a mystery in the unusual; We are drawn to exotic locations, far from home and we are intrigued by the cultures and traditions of the natives which inhabit these foreign territories.

If our native environment is the cosmopolitan industrial city-scape then we may yearn for the soothing rhythm of the ocean, rolling green hills and mountains. If we are born into the heat of equator-bound climes, then perhaps we long for the crisp freshness of a European city in autumn.

Whatever it is we crave, and wherever it is we have a burning desire to venture to, it can be a life changing experience to bite the bullet, buy a ticket and go. To be immersed in the day to day life of a country or city totally alien to your own is enriching and eye opening; You leave behind the safety of the predictability and the comfort of routine and you are thrown into an abyss of the deliciously unaccustomed and unacquainted…

Shackles are broken, connections are formed, stereotypes are shattered and your mind is blown open. Often we find ourselves leaving behind old habits and beliefs as the physical distance we travel allows us to separate from that which no longer serves us. The age-old cliché of ‘finding oneself’ is finally realised as you acknowledge yourself in your wholeness, standing alone; Independent from the validation of the familiar.

Typically we are taught, through the media or through social norms, that as a planet we are disconnected and separate from one another, divided by religions, cultures and the colour of our skin. In truth we are united by the pulse of being alive and sharing a common bond; our planet. We all live together on this earth, physically divided by oceans and borders but spiritually connected by the simple fact that we are human and we are brothers and sisters, united in our collective existence.

I believe in the importance of inter-cultural exploration, to understand that despite the miles between us and the attempts to socially  or otherwise separate us, we all breathe the same air, we all appreciate the kindness of strangers and the power of a smile when language barriers silence us. To explore the nuances of a  foreign culture is to better appreciate the dynamic and beautiful elements that make up the mosaic of life which exists on our planet.

There is a whole world out there waiting to be discovered – A rich and diverse tapestry which weaves together the threads of ancient history, eclectic traditions and towns and cities steeped in culture. We owe it to ourselves and to future generations to dip our toes into faraway oceans, to taste and smell the aromas of freedom and adventure and to experience a way of life which is a far cry from our own, if only to walk in the shoes of those who we would otherwise only hear about in stories or read of in books.

 So, if you find yourself pulled by the curious call of travel or feel the burning desire within to venture to new lands, don’t hesitate, don’t delay.. pack your bag, open your mind and heart and go..

Change is a Revolution: Trust and Embrace it

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”  ~ Laozi

Change.

Those six little letters that hold so much weight.

How many times have you heard someone say “I don’t like change”? How many times have you been thrown into unwitting chaos because you lost a job or got your heart broken, or were forced to make changes to your life beyond your control? We think of change as frightening, unwelcome and uncomfortable.

Change is a natural occurrence in order to move forward and progress. The seasons change, our bodies change, the winds change, every cell in our body is in a constant process of change. Without the changing of attitudes, laws and technologies over the years we would never have developed as a planet. We would be stuck living in the dark ages; The human race would become obsolete.

Instead, change represents evolution and movement  – the capacity to push things forward for our own benefit and for the benefit of the planet. The only way we advance is through change, it is the elixir of the existence of humanity.

If something sticks, it becomes stale – an attitude, a career, a daily routine, a habit, a relationship. Change shakes things up and breathes new life into that which otherwise becomes unhealthy or destructive.

Change means regeneration, rejuvenation, reinvention and revolution. Change throws out the old and welcomes in the new with open arms and an open heart. We change our minds, we change our underwear, so why are we so hesitant to make more significant changes in our lives?

Simply put, we like safety and comfort. We, as humans, are ultimately pleasure seekers who like to choose the path of least resistance because the alternative requires an element of effort. It requires facing the fear of the unknown and stepping outside of our comfort zone which can be scary.

But more than anything, it requires us to face our potential, to go within and explore the possibilities of our greatness. And this is going within to places we’d rather avoid, for fear of the realisation that we could be so much more than what we currently believe.

We have evolved to avoid situations that confront us and force us to face our fears. One of our greatest fears is usually failure, therefore we stay safe behind the veneer of our risk-free lives. We don’t like to go against the grain for fear of being ridiculed by a society that tries it’s best to encourage conformity and routine.

“When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back” ~ Paulo Coelho

Change is considered dangerous because it suggests freedom and choice – and this requires responsibility over your actions and your life. We live in cycles of monotony and we’re afraid to break free because when you break free, you’re on your own.

There is less stability in releasing yourself from safety, but in doing so you open yourself up to a world of opportunities and possibilities. Life becomes an adventure. Dreams are set into motion as you forge your own unique path in the world. You make your own rules.

Change is the greatest personal revolution you can choose. Change releases you from your day to day shackles. Change sets you free. Change is creativity and adventure. Change is glorious mystery.

Admittedly, change can be frightening. To leave behind the safety and familiarity of the life you know can be a daunting prospect, but I promise you this;  it is not nearly as scary as you imagine. The fear of change and the unknown is 100% always just that, a fear.

Fears are like shadows projected on the wall – they look huge and menacing but when you find the source of the shadow, you realise it’s an illusion. The projection of our fears, like the menacing shadows, are distorted truths. They paralyze us and hold us back, preventing us from moving forward in our lives instead of entering into the process of change and coming out the other side, alive and pulsing with the energy of a life truly being lived.

Life is short and if you don’t make that change now, then when? With each new year must come productive change, to help make a positive impact on the world and to better align yourself with our highest purpose. We need commitment and we need passion but above all, the world needs our courage and bravery to make those changes happen.

“We can’t be afraid of change. You may feel very secure in the pond that you are in, but if you never venture out of it, you will never know that there is such a thing as an ocean, a sea. Holding onto something that is good for you now, may be the very reason why you don’t have something better.” ~  Joy C Bell

No one can make those changes for you. You are the director of the movie that is your life and you are responsible for your choices. Making choices based on fear will hold you back and create pain. But making life choices based on love, hope and faith will enable you to create the life you have always imagined.

Change should be welcomed with open arms. Change is where the magic lies. Change is where the moments occur that blow your mind and open your heart to the endless possibilities and potential that is available to each and every one of us.

Make choices based on love and inspired by passion, which enrich your heart and soul. Don’t let fear hold you back and risk settling for less than you deserve. Trust in the calling of the divine and know that change is the catalyst for freedom; and freedom is the greatest gift we have.