Summer Adventures Await!
As summer vacation approaches, what new adventures await you? If you’re preparing to travel by vehicle, you’ve probably already made a potential itinerary, changed the oil, checked the tires and got a tune-up. After all, you wouldn’t want to break down along the way to your chosen destination for relaxation, right? Where are you going? Who are you going with? Maybe your adventure doesn’t include roads. Maybe you want wings not wheels. Maybe it simply requires discovering, or creating a place of peace and quiet right where you’re at and just disappearing for a while from the ruts and routines of daily life.
Where would you travel if you knew you could afford it, wouldn’t break-down, run out of gas, run out of roads, get lost and had a great companion?
Detours to Your Tour de Force
What about the journey of your life? What would you do if you knew you wouldn’t fail or that your failures would bring you closer to your destination and make you better for it? Wouldn’t it be great to have that level of confidence in yourself? No matter how confident and prepared you are—no matter where life’s journeys take you—there is always the potential for breakdowns, break-ups, and being broken apart. There will always be dead-ends to avoid, U-turns to make, and the GPS can be wrong. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep daring to do great things or continue confidently exploring this wonderful world. Sometimes breaking down, or getting lost, can be part of the adventure. I’m sure many of us travelers have a great break-down story (or two) to share. I’ve had more than I would like to mention.
Hey, I thought the low-fuel light just came on way too early, or that worn-out and cracked radiator hose, with the bandana tied around it, would last one more trip. Nope.
Famous Failures
Nevertheless, even with breakdowns and failures, you can still have confidence as your co-pilot. Maybe you think you can’t because you’ve failed—broken down—too many times in the past? Here’s a thought, what if failures or breakdowns could help you succeed? Don’t believe me? Have you ever heard of Walt Disney? Abraham Lincoln? J.K. Rowling? Harrison Ford? Vincent van Gogh? They each didn’t just have breakdowns on the road to their big breaks, they were basically told to burn their driver’s license and stop driving altogether. Let us not forget how many times Thomas Edison “failed” before creating the lightbulb.
Each of their (and your) setbacks and catastrophes became catalysts for comebacks and life-changing successes. So don’t give up and keep living up to your full potential.
Mile Markers or Milestones?
Your adversities along life’s roads, skies and oceans will help you become a better traveler and person. Just remember that life isn’t just about the distance, or the destination. It’s about the smiles and memories made along the way. As you travel, keep yourself in good condition to endure the roads ahead. Get frequent maintenance checks, tune-ups and don’t be afraid to hit the brakes and take breaks as often as you need to. Ultimately, enjoy the journey! Leave behind a legacy, even a road-map for those who will follow behind you and will benefit from your hard-fought wisdom from your miles and smiles.
Make sure you’re getting enough SPG’s (smiles per gallon) and don’t just pass the mile markers in life, create milestones and memorials of your journey.