Adventure and Fear

At my friends house in Toronto, when I looked out of the bedroom window, the phrase "fear is ruining your life" was plastered on the wall facing me. I like these words because someone has clearly put them there, in big red letters, for passers-by to think about how fear is preventing them from doing what they truly want to do in their life. I too was faced with this struggle for many years, and am glad that I have conquered some of my fears. However, I also like these words because they are a reminder that I must constantly be challenging myself to deal with fears that are preventing me from 'being awesome', as one of my friends likes to say, on a daily basis.

Though I would consider myself adventurous, I am definitely someone that is constantly fighting to overcome my fear. To avoid emberrassment, I will not list all of the fears I have, but I would like to explore the idea of the necessity of fear in adventure.

Recently, a friend and I had a discussion about the 'fear requirement' for an activity to be defined as an adventure or not. He proclaimed, that unless a person had to overcome fear to achieve their goal, then the activity could not be considered an adventure. I, on the otherhand, believe that a person can adequately prepare themselves with enough knowledge and practical experience to be both mentally and physically prepared to undertake any adventure without needing to be afraid of what they are going to do.

My friend believes, that the planning and preparation I encourage prevents a person from truly experiencing 'adventure' because he considers this kind of preparation to make an activity to be completely prescribed. To counter, I think that an adventure happens when you are uncertain of the outcome or the elements you are going to be faced along any journey, yet you are fairly certain that no matter what comes your way, you will be able to handle it as a result of your preparation.

Ultimately, I think a person's definition of adventure comes down to their confidence, their life experience and their comfort level. Every person's tolerance for the unknown is very different. I like very much to be exposed to new experiences, new cultures, new lands and new physical challenges, which would make certain people consider me to be an adventurer. However, I also need a certain amount of predictability in the adventures I undertake, or else I may very well cower away.

Maybe this is why I enjoy planning so much - it is what has allowed me to participate in so many awesome activities because I considered myself prepared for whatever I am going to face. I am usually the one that is prepared on any excursion, and though I envy those that are able to just go with the flow and 'make it work', I doubt that I will ever be one of those people.

Nevertheless, I enjoy being pushed outside my comfort zone, though it does take patience, encouragement and trust. The best way to get me to do something outrageous is to let me know what I can expect, talk me through the process and then let me do it at my own pace. Once I am confident in whatever I have involved myself, I know I will be a rockstar.

So may the adventures of 2012 be filled with elements of fear for those who need it, and be predictable and jam packed with fun for those than need it.

Enjoy.