For the Love of Adventure
Written By: Jackie Horgan MacDonald
When we hear the words “adventure” and “explore”, we often think of some sort of outdoor expedition or world travel. We picture someone hiking in the mountains, kayaking on the open water, zip-lining through tree tops. We imagine someone driving cross-country to sight see or hopping on a flight to wander across Europe. We assume someone camping, rock climbing, cross-country skiing, swimming through waterfalls, or posing for an instagram post wearing a backpack at the edge of a cliff.
But why is that? Why are our ideas of adventures and exploration limited only to outdoor excursions through nature when there is so much more to it?
This is where I throw in a little “the dictionary defines _____ as…”, to make this a quintessential inspirational blog post.
The dictionary defines adventure as, “an unusual or exciting experience, a daring activity calling for passion and enthusiasm”. And explore meaning, “to traverse through new territory in order to learn and discover, to overcome boredom”.
An activity calling for passion and enthusiasm. To overcome boredom. Nothing about walking sticks or hiking boots or canoe paddles.
Of course there’s absolutely nothing wrong with those kinds of adventures but just because you’re not the “outdoorsy type”, doesn’t mean you can’t go exploring. And just because you don't enjoy mountain climbing or white water rafting or a good nature walk doesn’t mean you’re not adventurous.
Exploring and adventuring is specific to you. It’s doing something that brings you passion and enthusiasm. It’s going somewhere to overcome boredom,whether it’s somewhere familiar or somewhere unknown.
Maybe to you that means playing a round of golf on a new course. Or playing basketball on your old hometown court. Maybe it means day drinking on an outdoor patio with friends on a beautiful day. Or trying a new banana bread recipe you found on Pinterest during quarantine. Just because there are mountains and trees on the new Unfamous For the Love of Adventure tee, doesn’t mean that has to be your adventure. Adventure and exploration are what YOU make them. Whatever you do to overcome boredom, do it because it brings you passion and enthusiasm. Do it for the love of it.
