Adventure and exploration
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Who’s in the driver’s seat?
“I don’t want to be a passenger in my own life.” ~Diane Ackerman Sometimes it’s nice to let someone else do the driving. Sometimes we just want to sit back, roll down the windows, and enjoy the ride. And there’s nothing wrong with that — unless we’re always dodging responsibility or letting someone else (or something else) control where we’re going. Do you often allow others to make your plans and decisions when you could be asserting your own choices? Do you structure your days around unhealthy or unproductive habits? Once in a while, it’s worth a reality check: Who or what is in the driver’s seat of your own…
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Self-imposed limitations
“Why do you stay in prison, when the door is so wide open?” ~Rumi, Sufi poet As my late parents used to remind me, sometimes we’re responsible for creating our own obstacles. The good news is that we also have the power to move past them. Throughout my life, I’ve found this to be true. How often do we limit ourselves when opportunities are wide open to us? How often do we deceive ourselves into thinking we don’t have the ability to achieve a particular goal? How often do we think a door is closed to us when it really isn’t? ~CL Subscribers: Did you miss any posts last week?…
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Setting sail
“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” ~John A. Shedd Sometimes it’s wise to put safety first — such as crossing the street in rush-hour traffic. Likewise, we should check the expiration labels on our food, wash our hands frequently, and never share personal information with strangers on the phone. Playing it safe isn’t such a bad thing — unless we get so complacent (or agoraphobic) that we rarely leave our own harbor. Earlier this week, a friend told me that pandemic isolation nearly turned her into a social loner. She got a little too cozy staying home, she said, so she’s…
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A compass for everyday living
“Leave the road, take the trails.” ~Pythagoras When I’m in a hurry to reach a specific destination, I don’t mind driving the expressway. But my favorite vacation memories usually involve exploring country back roads, where greener landscapes or small towns await discovery. Side streets and backstories — even those near our own hometown — are too easy to miss when we’re speeding down the interstate. Today’s quote also serves as a direction for everyday living. Wherever your journey takes you this weekend, why not take the scenic route? ~CL
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How big is your world?
“The world only exists in your eyes. You can make it as big or as small as you want.” ~F. Scott Fitzgerald I’ve been staying close to home for the past week while recovering from a virus — and I’m reminded of how my world started shrinking during the pandemic. Oddly, after the first few weeks in lockdown, I didn’t feel as caged as I thought I would. I found countless ways to amuse myself around the house, spending the extra time reading, puttering, organizing, and exploring my inner world. At the same time, however, I also lost my sense of adventure. It was too easy to settle in, waiting…