01/08/2017
Living a full life to me means spending time at the fringes of our comfort. Spending time, energy, resources, and emotions on taking risks and being vulnerable to the uncertainty. It is there we learn valuable and sometimes wonderful things. Unexpected things happen, some disappointing, others far more wonderful than you can imagine.
I embarked on an adventure that was about experiencing a romantic place and exploring the limits of what is possible on a bike. But of course things didn't go as planned. What I experienced was different from my goals and expectations and some of the best parts of the trip were the unexpected.
The absolute joy of the trip was in Joanna, Alicia, Max, Omar, Doug, Adam, Aaron, Alun, Rickie, Scott, Richard, Nisha, Paddy, and ALL of the Kenn Borek Air guys and the ALE staff. I went on a solo bike trip but the highlight was meeting and connecting with a sky diver, a mourning family and a ski guide. Unexpected but so wonderful.
Ok I've used the word unexpected a lot, but it was. Sitting here now with a back that is still sore, a scratchy beard and an empty bank account, I smile with joy at the human connections. The pain of turning around and coming home is overruled by the joy of exchanging messages this week from people I've met.
I am almost done mourning the intended adventure. There is some wisdom to be gleaned there still, but I'm close. Close to closing the book on disappointment. Then the focus can turn to the chance of a lifetime. To see and feel the wonders of Antarctica, and the memories of people and new friends. I'll choose new friends over a note in a record book any day.
Humbly
Hank
PS
(I do want to qualify, as I have in earlier posts, that taking risks includes anything where you are pushing yourself in the face of uncertain outcomes - be it walking your dog in -25C, calling up an old friend, saying you are sorry, or taking on a physical challenge or race. The risk is defined by ourselves. One of the joys in life is that there is such a variety of risks to be taken. I encourage you all to take a risk, live in that uncertainty, and encourage others to as well.)
