My adventurous spirit isn’t something new. Far from it, in fact as a child I was always hungry for more adventures, albeit in those years it was always via a book or old B+W movie.
From an early age I was a voracious reader, primarily as it helped me transport my mind out of my existing life into one full of adventures in faraway places.
I guess it was the same reason I loved watching old movies… In my mind’s eye I could see and experience what life might be like outside the small rural town in which I lived.
Far from the poverty, alcoholism and frustration that surrounded me in those formative years. I was hungry for more, but at an age where there was no way out.
At some point in these years, it became apparent in my subconscious that the only way out of this type of life was to get an education and see where that may take me. It wasn’t a specific thought, but more of an understanding.
Let’s be clear, unlike Zach and Sam I struggled in school with a significant learning disability, however, not to be a victim I persevered as best I could. I was a C+ student on my best day but desperately wanted a different life. The struggle was real, but I persevered.
It’s not that I wasn’t a quick learner, it’s just that I wasn’t a good learner in the sense of being able to regurgitate knowledge from something that I’ve read. My ability to retain this type of information is compromised even to this day.
Unfortunately, most of the schoolwork is based on this type of learning, hence my lower-than-average grades. Yet, this didn’t dissuade me from pursuing a higher education.
During my late secondary school years my parents didn’t understand why I was still at school, especially given my grades, but I stuck to it, and at times in spite of them as I was fully committed to getting out of my environment no matter what.
University wasn’t any easier and honestly, I struggled but on a bigger stage, having to repeat a couple of courses that I wasn’t able to master the first time around. These little hurdles were testing my commitement, but deep down I knew that this was the right path for me.
To be clear there was no master plan nor much encouragement during these years, I was functioning purely on gut instinct.
It wasn’t till many years later as I reflected on my journey through adolescence, perhaps it was when Zach and Sam were going through their adolescent years that it struck me how focused and tenacious I had been, even if I didn’t realize it at the time.
I suppose I was born with a curious mind, fuelled by books and movies and desperate to change my life and so it’s not too difficult to see how I decided to live my adult life.
Whether it be the next job, or the next accomplishment I have always been driven from within. It’s like a force of nature that I feel I have little control over, but always up for the challenge.
At times over the years some people have commented on my inability to be satisfied with what I have, as they see me chasing my dreams and desires as though I’m running away from something and never be happy with the life I’ve created no matter what.
I suppose there is a grain of truth to those comments, but I feel as though me pursuing an adventurous life is embedded so deeply within my DNA that it’s difficult to differentiate between being happy with the status quo and seeking my next adventure…
My hunger for more is a constant part of my life, fortunately my wife Judy understands this about me and is incredibly supportive and willing to join in these adventures. Her constant source of encouragement is the nourishment I need to feel supported.
In the decade after my marriage ended to when I met Judy, I had focused primarily on Zach and Sam, this included travelling extensively both with them, but also alone. And as much as these adventures were awesome, I’ve realized since then that doing them with my love is 100% more fulfilling than doing them alone.
Not surprisingly, my hunger for more hasn’t dwindled over the years and continues to be the fire inside me that drives me forward every day.
In my mind, whether the adventure is big or small is irrelevant. I believe it’s all about your mindset and how you approach and live the experience that matters most, because as we all know living our life to the fullest is the most important thing we can do for ourselves and those around us.
This type of approach helps us not just mentally, but also physically as it often gets us up off the couch and outside doing something interesting.
Who knew that my hunger for more during those formative years would pass the test of time and continue to be my constant companion all these years on.
At the heart of my life is a sense of curiosity and wonderment captured so perfectly in the last two lines of the poem Invictus by William Ernest Henley – “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul”.
It’s the perfect combination – a curious mind, an adventurous spirit with an explorer’s heart…
Until next week.
Ciao!