Historical figures, world-class athletes, and renowned philosophers are always telling us what to do. Many times, they prod us to just get out there and do it1—whatever “it” is2. We’re urged to live on the edge3, go fast4, go hard, and go higher. At other times, these same wise folks tell us to rest or be still. How’s a girl to interpret these mixed messages?
I’ve wondered lately whether we have to be (get to be) always outside and perpetually enthusiastic about our next quest? Even though I love and seek adventure, I sometimes want to just be. Recently, I read how women’s Appalachian Trail speed record holder Jennifer Pharr Davis learned to simply be, having grown up in a culture of doing. (Granted, she learned that lesson on a pretty epic thru-hike.) But, where do we find the perfect balance between just being and living fully?
Instead of venturing out to build an igloo amongst snow drifts and with friends last weekend, I took a salsa dancing workshop and went hiking. It was the soft-core option, but I had a good time and got to sun my shoulders in a tank top. Should I have instead stacked icy bricks and lived in a snow house for one night? I think not.
Still, I felt sort of melancholy all weekend—like I’d lost something or come to the end of a good book. Was this dark feeling the result of my having chosen the seemingly soft-core option? Even now, I doubt it. (It’s a funny thing to admit, but I’ve honestly been blaming my mood on the full moon.) While hiking Sunday, I sat on a rock at the top of the trail. I considered the quiet, solitary day I was having in contrast to the loud, energetic day I could have had. Dancing in the city and walking in the woods may not be the obvious adventure option, but they are the things I most wanted to do when Friday evening rolled around. And they are the things that ultimately left me feeling accomplished and refreshed by Monday morning.
So, I’m curious: How do you choose adventure, balance peace with joyful noise, or push your limits while maintaining your sanity?
Footnotes
1 “Somebody ought to tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit every minute of every day. Do it, I say, whatever you want to do, do it now.” — Michael Landon
2 “Follow your bliss, and doors will open for you that you never knew existed. Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls.” – Joseph Campbell
3 “Believe me! The secret of reaping the greatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment from life is to live dangerously!” — Friedrich Nietzsche
4 “If things seem under control, you are just not going fast enough.” — Mario Andretti
I find that for me, it’s a matter of challenging my inner self and being conscious of letting go of exterior influences. It took me a long time to be a peace with my adventure-seeking self. That’s who I am. But if I am not conscious of my impact; If I sway too far away from my own goals and sense of achievement, then I reach a state of imbalance.
Great article!
Always think big… sign up for something that seems totally outside the realm of what you are capable of then do it! It’s the perfect balance once you sign on the dotted line. You’re committed. And the peacefulness of the end result of training is the balance you acheive for the outlandish adventure. I’m 51 and a first-timer for a 7-day stage mountain bike race (www.tsepic.com) . The journey to get there is SO rewarding.
Thanks for the words of wisdom, ladies! I agree that leaping outside my comfort zone and preparing for a goal keeps me challenged and sane at the same time. Next week’s limit-pusher: scuba diving! Stay tuned for stories about the certification process and my upcoming dives in the Cayman Islands.
This is so true. Rush, rush, rush, but the experience of living is enough for most. I encourage you to read the lighter side of the outdoors here: http://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/blogs/the-soft-core-athelete/
and also here: http://www.readbreathe.com/category/blogs/finding-her-balance/
Thanks, Jack! Both blogs are refreshing reads.
I have only been chasing the next rush since I became an empty nest-er 3 years ago. The freedom mixed with the excitement is indeed addicting. But, I found that I left behind an important part of my life.
Having always been an avid gardener I know the value (and necessity) of grounding myself. I find my balance by digging in the dirt. I grown flowers, for the spirit, and vegetables. And of course I get to eat the rewards!
I believe in a life on the edge..but at age 54 …I seek balance.
I am a flight instructor of aerobatic flight and a skier, biker, hiker, kayaker… I am also a wife, Grandmother, knitter and homemaker~
At age 46, I think I am finally listening to my body. Sometimes it is hard; I question the slower option, but truthfully I always feel better after. After giving my body the rest, I end up stronger on my next difficult adventure.
SUE
At age 50, balance is forced upon me in interesting ways. Realizing I don’t have the energy, stamina or body I used to have is ‘reality’. And yet, I remain passionate about challenges. Actually, the balance often comes in the form of accommodating accumulating limitations that force me to take and heed the needs of my spirit and physical being. Taking on single-handed long distance catamaran races are the balance I need, to the exploratory day sailing I do in instruction with beginners. The sailing lifestyle allows for surmountable challenges rewarded by remote locations of utter bliss…….it has been the balance of my life to the work-a-day stressed out life of a public school art teacher.
At 50 I have learned that when life knocks you down you get up fighting. In the past year I have lost three very close family members, had my house flooded, two sister told they had cancer but does this stop me NO (it does make me pause and think that life is short and you should live it to the fullest). This September my girlfriend (who is also 50) and I are going to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa. Each day as I train I thank God for the strengh and courage to move forward. To try new things. My motto is try it once if you don’t like it then don’t do it again. But you have to get out there and try it. Push yourself and you will realize that life is a wonderful adventure.
Begun, the great internet ediucaton has.