Do What Scares You

Sometimes the best adventures begin with three little words:

“I’m a little scared.”

As Ms. Mindful Traveller, I’ve learned that feeling uncomfortable doesn’t always mean we should turn around. Sometimes it means we are standing at the edge of something new, exciting and wonderfully alive. We have great friends who are the most courageous travellers out there, always looking for a new adventure, always thrill seeking. We absolutely love watching them soak in every opportunity to try new things. Mr. Mindful Traveller and I have work to do here.

Maybe for some of you it’s travelling somewhere unfamiliar. Maybe it’s parasailing above the water, climbing into a boat, bungee jumping or boarding an airplane. Maybe it’s tasting something you’ve never tried before or wandering down that little road you’ve never noticed and discovering a hidden gem. Sometimes the biggest adventure isn’t a place at all. It’s discovering something about yourself that you didn’t even know was there.

The courage to try. The courage to say yes. The courage to be a beginner. The courage to step outside that comfortable little bubble we sometimes build around ourselves. Now, I’m not suggesting we throw caution to the wind. Mindful adventure means knowing the difference between a healthy stretch and a genuine danger. Safety first, adventure second!

But when something is safe and simply makes your tummy do a few nervous flips? Maybe take the leap. There is something magical about that moment when fear turns into excitement… when “I can’t do this” becomes “I actually did it!”

That is when we feel alive.

So this week, ask yourself:

What have I been afraid to try? What makes me a little uncomfortable? What adventure might be waiting just outside my comfort zone?

Maybe your next great memory is hiding there. You might return from the adventure with more than photographs and stories. You might come home knowing yourself a little better. So take a deep breath, open your heart, and when the moment is right. Do something that scares you just a little. The risk might just be worth the feeling of being truly, wonderfully alive.

Yours seeking more adventure, Ms. Mindful Traveller