Curiosity…

I guess my adventurous spirit has always been driven by my curiosity…

It’s difficult to tell, but all I know is that my curiosity has enabled me to live a full and interesting life so far.  Often just following my gut and to see what I discover.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told that I’m crazy or that I shouldn’t do something just because the person I was talking to was too afraid to try it or experience it themselves…

So many times, almost too many to count!

Trust me I’m not an extreme adventurer by any means, but my curiosity has gotten me into some close calls, but also some incredible situations that are indelibly etched into my being and that I am forever thankful for.

For me, my curiosity is firmly ensconced in my DNA!

This wasn’t always the case.  No, far from it in fact.

However, as I matured and slowly discovered my personal confidence (trust me this took a long time) I began venturing beyond my comfort zone to where I now know life’s adventures lay…

A great example is backpacking around the world by myself.   This year long adventure changed the trajectory of my life irrevocably and enabled me to live and build a life in Canada for 32 years, raising two great kids (now adults) along the way.

This singular experience was the beginning of my personal journey…

However, if I’d let me inner voices and fear guide me I would never of had the courage to quit my teaching job and buy a one-way ticket to set off with just a backpack and no fixed schedule.

I learned a lot about myself on that journey, and during the subsequent time opened me up to a new way of looking at the world.

Most notably that I was at able to learn to be at ease with my own company and not have to be surrounded or busy to occupy my mind.

I found that I could relax and enjoy the simple pleasures of life by myself…

Firstly, discovering that my curiosity was actually a good thing and not something to be afraid of or shy away from was an important lesson for me to finally learn even in my mid 20’s.

Through much of my childhood my curiosity had been stifled so as a to avoid conflict.  I grew up in a household in which “kids were to be seen, but not heard” and to have a point of view on anything was frowned upon.

Now, no longer afraid of my curiosity or held back by fear I able to begin living.

I was able to marry, have a family and build a fabulous career that you often only hear about – I was at the top of my game.

Sometimes things start for a reason, and other times things end for a reason…

Like all great adventurers, after the initial pain of my marriage ending and finding myself a single dad, I began refocusing on me, following my gut and living life on my terms.

This major life change provided a level of independence that was intoxicating after being in a marriage for close to 16 years.

Clearly, Zach and Sam’s welfare was always, and will forever be top most on my mind, but in the course of living this life I brought them along on many shared adventures.

And although at the time I’m sure they were reticent they now look back with fond memories on all of trips and adventures we had together travelling to the four corners of the world.

Trust me there were lots of people who thought I was crazy, even me a couple of times!

The consistent theme throughout has been that I always remained curious about life.  Always focusing on experiences rather than material goods.

In the subsequent years I’ve not only travelled the world and experienced new cultures and countries but found my incredible wife Judy along the way.

There is no question that Judy has a similar outlook on life to me and bringing out her enthusiasm for travel and adventure as well.

I realize the way I live my life is not for everyone.

Can you imagine if everyone was the same… eek!

However, I do like to encourage others to step outside their comfort zone and try new things whenever possible.

And it’s upon reflection of this time while living outside your comfort zone that has brought me new meaning to life.

I believe that having a curious mind is one of the last great frontiers for us as individuals.  We literally can do anything we put our mind to if we have the courage and dedication to take a risk and be bold.

As I have firmly pasted to the header of my Facebook page “adventures begin where plans end“.

Remember, life doesn’t have to always programmed.  It’s important to leave time for exploration and play as it fuels that curious mind of yours.

Curiosity enables us to grow and learn in new and exciting ways. It is the genesis of everything that we know and understand as a human race.

Make you think, doesn’t it?

Until next week

Ciao!