HOLSTEE | Adventure
The June reflection covered the idea of Adventure. It taught some of my favourite lessons so far - it hit all of the parts of the human experience that challenge me every day. It called for participants to embrace two character strengths: curiosity + bravery. The combination of the two equal adventure. “Confronting fear with curiosity and braery allows us to better examine, learn from, and grow past that fear.” That fear we feel in certain situations must always be questioned, examined thoroughly. l like to think my character has greatly benefitted by facing, even embracing, my fears.
The lessons reiterated for me that I am in my “growth” as opposed to “comfort” zone simply because I spend most of my days curious and regularly challenge what others believe to be truth. Whatever the opposite of a lemming is, I’m it. My natural rebellious nature, which I am embracing more and more each day, is serving me well. Though I am experiencing profound contentment in my life and my choices, I grow every day as I challenge my own beliefs and stay open to learning new things and shake up my routines to allow my best self to show up and shine.
“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.”
ICEBREAKERS
If you could spend one week traveling anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I am not a fan of hot and humid weather - or places with endless stairs that often don’t have handrails. That certainly limits my options around the world, certainly in the old part of the world. My greatest, most favourite trip was a cruise, with Caden, to the UK and the Baltic in August 2019. Since I’m only being given a week in this example, I’d like to continue on and go to the Nordic Islands: Iceland, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. That was a small part of the itinerary for my planned month-long honeymoon with Bill, and I’d really enjoy a visit, even a quick one!
What was your favourite adventure as a child?
All of my childhood adventures happened between the covers of books. I read all of the Nancy Drew series as quickly as I could spend my babysitting money at the cigar store in the Forest Hill Village. Then there were the Canadian Classics: Anne of Green Gables; I Heard the Owl Call My Name; Who Has Seen The Wind, and The Handmaid’s Tail (1985!) all of which took me to places I’d never been. My reading evolved to the racier Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (I know, so racy, right? Ha!); Fear of Flying; The World According to Garp; Scruples; The Happy Hooker; Day of the Jackal; Rich Man, Poor Man; and, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. I can’t say I had a favourite book but I loved escaping to places, lives, and people so interesting that they would never be found in my orbit.
If you could learn any new skill, what would it be?
Fishing. Truly. I watch the people lined up along the harbour wall, in their lawn chairs, with fishing poles. I’m tempted to walk over and see what it’s all about.
DEEPER QUESTIONS
How do you define adventure?
Anything that engages my curiosity and livens my curiosity. Something that initially makes me think “no, that doesn’t sound safe, or smart, or fun”. If it’s something that will make me learn, I’m all in!
Looking back, what has been your greatest adventure so far?
Hands down, my 37-year on-and-off time with Bill. Intellectual, physical, and spiritual, combined with loving, trusting, and infinite patience, our relationship ticked all of the boxes. I can’t imagine ever loving anyone like him, or like that, ever again.
Describe three qualities of the most adventurous person you know?
The most adventurous person I know is my daughter, Chloé. She is utterly fearless, curious, and kind. She has traveled all over the world on environmental expeditions where she’s scuba-dived (eek!) and spent time running experiments in rain forests, elephant sanctuaries, and other challenging environments. She also moved to Edinburgh to get her undergraduate, and then Masters degree in History - no safety net. She’s an adventure rock star.
When was the last time you really pushed yourself beyond your comfort zone? How did that experience change you?
The last two years have forced me to spend almost all of my time far outside of my comfort zone. To the point that I don’t recognize what my comfort zone is anymore. Opening a business followed by closing a business; the pandemic; kids here, there, everywhere; Bill’s death; Caden’s cancer diagnosis; and my move first to the tin can and then to the newly renovated house in Southampton; all of it has challenged my equilibrium. I’m at the point where I can safely exhale.
I’ve been changed by all of it.
Now, today? I’m more content than I’ve ever been in my life. I’m making choices based on what I know honours both my highest good and my hard-earned boundaries.
I want is to spend some more time in my current state of wonder, curiosity, and bravery to figure out what’s next for me. What about you? How do you want 2022 to show up, and how will you show up for yourself?