Hello everyone! I know this post is off my regular schedule. I took some time off for the holiday and needed to refresh my mind. I honestly did not even know what I wanted to blog about last week. After some fun adventures, I am ready to come back with something very important in life — enjoying it. We need to enjoy life. Having some adventures is a great way to do it.
As we celebrate our nation’s birthday and our freedoms, let’s recall our freedoms and commit to using them for good. Let us protect life, cherish it and love it each and every day. Let’s also not forget to enjoy it. I know that is not always easy, but it is well worth it. I had the pleasure of exploring downtown Raleigh, NC and visiting the museums of natural science and history. I could write a whole post on just what I saw and learned (not a bad idea). It was a very fitting outing for the 4th of July holiday. Before that, I got to take some photographs of the annual NC Asian Pacific Arts Festival. I really enjoyed everything I got to experience.
I realized how good it is to explore. Adventure is not just going on an exotic trip or a safari. It is exploring the scenery around us, meeting new people and getting a look into their world. There is so much to learn, see and do. If we just open our eyes, ears and hearts, so much can pour in.
University of California Berkeley’s Greater Good Magazine published various findings about the effects of venturing out in nature on well-being. Findings suggest even just taking casual strolls out in nature improve our mood, stress levels and overall health. The case can be made that we were made to explore and discover. Our senses are present to allow us to interact with our environment. How good is it to see a summer sunset, hear the sound of a bubbling brook or smell blooming honeysuckle? There is so much beauty waiting for us just outside our window. If only we just venture out a little.
It is so easy to get comfortable with a routine. Work, school, family repeat. Routines are healthy to an extent, but it does much good to mix things up and get outside of ourselves. As a boy, I always dreamed of exploring the jungle and seeing all of the world’s wonders. As a man, I realize wonders are all around me. I always try to keep my adventurous spirit and desire to discover. These past couple of weeks really revived that side of me.
I’ve had things that happened to me this year that have discouraged me, depressed me and made me wonder why I should be alive at all. I rediscovered why I am here and what I need to do. I am here to do good and help transform all of creation. I am here to give my talents and experiences. I am here to journey, grow and enjoy it along the way. I refuse to let negative experiences or people get in the way of that. Stay on your course. Chart your path. Keep God as your guide. It’s a wild ride but you are going to see the difference your life makes and how much fun you can have.
Please share your adventures with me in the comments section. I’d love to hear them. Have a great week and I look forward to seeing you all again on Thursday.
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” – Saint Augustine of Hippo
Image by Stokpic on Pexels
Take it in 
I am also a very big fan of nature and adventure. For the past nine months, I have been very engaged and envolved with church work and that left me with little or no opportunity for personal adventure. However, that’s over now, and I am back in Virginia Beach hanging out with my adventure buddy. Last week we were at the chrysler Museum in Norfolk, Virginia. The museum can be very overwhelming with so much to see, read and digest. However, like you mentioned, it is about connecting with and allowing ourselves to enjoy the scenes. Thank you.
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