Reckless and Wild

Seems to be a growing trend of mine... Supporting "reckless ventures". Well you know what? Someone I look up to is my age and dreamed of sailing around the world. A rogue wave rolled her boat in the middle of the Indian Ocean and paused that dream. She said "A lot of times, the things that are most worth doing involve risk", and she is right.

You can't change the world watching TV or playing video games. You can't change the world just by dreaming about it. You have to act. You have to DO something.

I'm not saying that I am going to be a world changer, or that I'm striving to do that. Honestly, if I change the world doing what I love, great. That would be awesome. But to even do what I love, I have to DO something.

I love a good adventure. And I'm beginning to realize there is no bigger adventure than life itself. There are a lot of things I want to do in life, but life is the ultimate adventure. There are a handful of words that get me excited- adventure, map, diving, compass, ocean, beach,... you get the idea. Indiana Jones is my style of life, not Jersey Shore. I understand this isn't very appealing to most people, heck I'm not sure if I'm cut out for it. but I will give it my best shot.

Please realize you are in more danger driving your car to work than being bit by a shark. Also you have a greater chance of dying from a soda machine than a shark attack. Yes I realize they are wild creatures and if I look like a seal or turtle there is a good chance I may get attacked. Thank you for the warning, but I have been watching shark week for many years.

People who do "reckless" things are the ones I look up to. They know what living life is about. And in the reality of it all, it really isn't that reckless. Dictionary.com defines reckless as "having or showing no regard for danger or consequences; heedless; rash". The ones I look up to, my mentors, really aren't "reckless" then according to the definition. They know the risk, they know the dangers, they know the consequences of their actions. The people I look up to aren't reckless; they are dreamers who have dared to go beyond their dreams and make them reality.

I realize what is adventurous for me may be way beyond what someone could ever consider doing. Take diving for example. I have been certified for 3 years. I am a Rescue Certified diver. The sheer idea of just snorkeling freaks some people out. I get that. I can see how fish coming up to your face can freak you out. I got bit by a fish on my lip and looking back, its hysterical, but if you don't like fish, I'm sure you would have had a heart attack. I do my best to be understanding to people who get freaked out by water, really I try.

In my opinion, its all about upbringing. I was raised swimming, going to the beach, collecting rocks in the desert, spending a week in Baja once a year, traveling, etc. I was lucky to have a very diversified childhood. Some one who has stayed in one state their whole lives boggle my mind. But that is just because I was raised in car rides and airplanes. I respect those who are happy staying in one place for their life. To me that is reckless. I couldn't imagine "putting my eggs in one basket" as the saying goes. Not until I have settled down with a family, but even that I can't imagine myself doing for some time. Out of all the things I want to do, settling down with a family would be the craziest most reckless thing I can think of doing.

One of the things I am learning, is to be understanding of someones view and opinion when it doesn't really mesh with mine. Its hard, because when I try to be understanding, it seems like the other person keeps trying to impose their idea on me. And it seems you can't stand firm on your view without insulting the other person, when THEY are the ones imposing the idea, and you are just saying "Yes I know the risk" or "No this is what I believe but I value your view".

When someone says to me "Oh! You scuba dive?? Isn't that dangerous? How can you not freak out being surrounded by water and only have so much air?" I just laugh and smile saying it really isn't horrible, you get trained on how to use the gear and watch your air supply. Then the person shakes their head and call me crazy and the topic moves on.

It puzzles me how some people can be happy living in a safe little bubble. I have grown up in the "RCS bubble" my whole life and can't wait to punch holes in it and breathe the fresh air. I know it won't be easy, but I can't wait. The idea of something new excites me. To each his own I guess.

If you are understanding and open to my view, I'll be open to yours.

My final words for this post are just gonna be words of encouragement to try something new. Try to break through your bubble. It won't be easy, it might not be glamorous, but just try. "In stepping out and trying to achieve great things, the only way [you] can truly fail is never to try at all" ~Abby Sunderland