I've had these lists forever- places I want to go, things I want to see- Pinterest boards full of beautiful spots around the world that I hope to go to, one day. And I came across this quote the other night-
The most dangerous risk of all- the risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later.
Makes you think, right? And although our right now isn't totally conducive to just getting up and traveling around the world, one day I hope we are able to. This is a beautiful phase of our life, a season of raising babies, and I love being right here, right now. But just because it's a little more difficult to go to Japan, Australia, Africa...places that are all on our list, there are so many spots in the United States, and right here in our own state of Arizona, that we can enjoy now.
A couple years ago I promised myself I be more adventurous and DO rather than just dream. There's a time for dreaming of course, but like the quote up there brings to mind, I don't want to spend my days dreaming, and missing my chance to actually do the things I'm dreaming of. So we're doing it. It's been as small as making a list of local hikes we've yet to try, and taking every Sunday to explore them, one by one as a family. There's also been bigger things on the list that require more planning and saving on my end- asking my sister to watch the boys for half a day as I hike with a girlfriend, seeing if my Mom can cover Hank and I for an evening as we take some time to head somewhere new.
Tomorrow I leave for Antelope Canyon, followed by a visit to Zion National Park to hike Angels Landing, places that I've dreamed of seeing forever. I'm excited, I'm nervous (have you seen photos of Angels Landing?!), but most of all I'm proud of myself for evolving into someone who is more apt to get up and do the things I'm dreaming of rather than sit back and wish I was doing them.
So here's to adventure. And here's to those lists we have and living them, and seeing and doing and exploring. And really, what's better than that? Taking this one go 'round and living our dreams, whatever they may be, however they fit into this current season of our lives. Sometimes it's as simple as making plans to hike somewhere cool this next weekend right in your own state, or booking an excursion with friends to a far away place. But either way, it's a great feeling to make it happen.
