The Promise of Adventure and Happiness

The Sunset is Fearless, It Knows It Foreshadows and New Dawn - Severn River - Annapolis, MD

I tell many lies but am always believed

if the worst happens, I'll be greatly relieved

On the day you were born, I poisoned your heart

I'll still be here on the day you depart.

Deepak Chopra speaks this little riddle through the voice of his main character in Why is God Laughing?, and when the answer is given it stopped me short. Fear is a liar, and when I’m honest, every little bit of this ditty is true in my life except the last line.

It’s taken me far too long, but I’m grateful that I’m finally becoming more aware of the attitudes and outlooks that have largely shaped my life over the last four decades. I hope that awareness will give me a fighting chance to adjust my path and in turn shape my journey.

I know now that I’m being drawn to the cross country walking pilgrimage that my lifetime friend and I have been planning over the last couple of years. I don’t know how I’m going to earn my keep, but I’ve grown weary of earning my living. The walk we’re planning from Newport, RI to Newport, OR represents an opportunity to take a chance on adventure and happiness. I’m drawn to it in a way I can’t logically defend.

What great adventure have you been setting to the side? If you’re like me, there are a thousand reasons not to pursue your dreams. If you’re like me, all of those reasons are really just fear in disguise. Fear’s a sneaky adversary, but I encourage you to take a chance on adventure and happiness. What’s the worst that could happen?

I'm not sure what will happen tomorrow, but I'm going to try to take a chance on adventure and happiness.