Humans are creatures of habit. This is demonstrated in our daily routines, which for the typical American consists of something along the lines of: wake up, get ready for work, commute to work, work, commute home, extra cirricular, dinner, bed. There is obviously room for variation, and the specifics about where one works and spends freetime differ, but some form of this routine describes the daily life of most people. This is safe and comfortable, but it doesn't really bring fulfillment into one's life.
Think about the times in life where you really felt alive, and ask yourself if those times have been during your routine, or if it was at times when your routine was broken. The late night adventures with friends, travels to foreign places, coming across a lot of money; these are things people dream of, but rarely experience when caught in routine. It takes adventure to be exceptional and live an exceptional life. Why can't every day bring the types of Adventure that make you feel alive?
Its true that Adventure may find you during your routine by chance, but more often than not, Adventure requires you to find it. If you do, it is willing to give you what you seek, but you must make the effort to find it yourself. Wouldn't you rather experience life to its fullest everyday than live a mote life of routine? Don't you owe it to yourself to achieve the greatest you can in life? What will you achieve by adventure compared to that which you would during routine?
Its time to shape your life so that you feel alive, for it is only the exceptional life that is worth living. Do something everyday that excites or scares you. Take risks. Push yourself to the boundaries and live your life as if it were an epic adventure. Give up your short term safety and comfort to find the true meaning of life. This is the stuff legends are made of. Make the leap to challenge yourself to live an exceptional life. Climb the mountain and scream from the top of your lungs that you have conquered it, and you will stand above the common man.
This reminds me of the principles in "Who Moved My Cheese", but only applied to a personal life rather than a career. I agree that routine is easy to get stuck into. It is our dream, watered down. I'm the type that would rather take a risk of exploring a new style of cooking than a new career/path though. Good past, Agaponzie.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of "Who Moved My Cheese", but I have not yet read it. I will have to explore that book. Good point about the lifestyle vs career adventure. The post was meant to be written more broadly than solely in relation to a career. I think if you pursue an adventurous life the lines between career and lifestyle get blurred and you can simply achieve instead of achieve in your career, or achieve in your cooking per se. Thanks for the comment!
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