Age becomes the bane.
As we grow older, we tend to experience a loss in availability, productivity and even mobility. Life gets in the way and we lose our drive to pursue the passion projects we’ve humbly set for ourselves. In most cases we become too dependent on the job we’ve buried our heads in to see the open world of opportunity and change. If you don’t look up from your tower of paperwork you’ll miss occasional snapshots of beauty. That’s why its important to experience as much as you can before catching up with life. The concept of time moves forward- and it moves whether or not you’re up to par.
I’ve noticed a change in pace recently with a few individuals who have (and continue to) gracefully contribute to the development of my pseudo psychology/anthropology amalgamation. Perhaps we’re all in a phase of growing up. In a previous post I wrote about “Wandering”, I discuss how we are all finding our way through life; how we are constantly developing into the person we initially set off to become. Through a multitude of milestones and misfortunes, we gain more knowledge on the person we really are and how to utilize ourselves as a makeshift tool to better understand the path we’ve chosen. Without risk there is no reward, and as such an opportunity passes by.
One who hesitates is lost.
In a recent adventure, hesitation was a small hurdle that eventually was overcome. A group of friends and I went on a cottage getaway to a place surrounded by vast greenery and deep blue waters. At a point in this journey we stood on top a cliff that overlooked a lake. The lake was a crystal-clear hue of blue where you can differentiate between shallow ends and the deep beginnings. As a group, we all thought it would be a great idea to jump off the cliff and kiss the water, but weren’t ready to take the initiative. After a quick consensus, one of us made the jump. Then another made the jump. And then another. Less than an hour after the first leap of faith, we were all in the water enjoying what had transpired.
I believe that this event was a metaphor for our becomings. As our bodies plunged into the water, we spiritually passed a veil that gated our adolescence into a stronger, more confident adulthood. Standing atop the cliff, I was terrified to look at my landing point. It wasn’t a non-existent fear of heights that chewed me, but rather my crippling case of Thalassophobia trembling within my veins. I have never enjoyed the likes of oceans, beaches in some cases, and lakes (to which I was staring at). It took a lot of self-coaching while perched upon the rocky plank before I could dive in, both physically and mentally. One countdown later and, before I knew it I had submerged into the blue planet beneath me. It would have never happened if another friend didn’t lead with the right foot. And we’re all truly thankful she did.
If we didn’t jump then, who knows when we’ll be able to jump again. Within a year, many events take place and we succumb to a lifestyle that disables us from our youth (or what we have left of it). We commit to jobs, we start families, we sustain injuries- all these factors come in to play when considering a potential outcome of the future. Living as an opportunist can prove to be a uniquely rewarding way to grab a bull by the horns. Opportunists look at situations with a light heart and an adventurous spirit. Discoveries are abound and with it, a new leaf will turn the human nature within you. I’m always telling people to “act now and think later” which directly refers to what I’m trying to express in this thought process. It’s completely necessary to put a sliver of thought into an act, but if too much time is spent on making a decision you might gain a sense of regret after the moment has passed. It has happened before, and to this day I still think of the possible “what ifs” that have happened throughout my time on Earth.
Take a plunge every once in a while. Throw everything aside and just do it. Gain valuable insight from it, and have a story to tell afterwards.
