It is May in Minnesota, the days are getting longer and warmer. We come out of our winter hibernation ready to be outdoors doing something, anything! We are ready for adventures. Have you ever thought about the importance of adventure?

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost,

to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” Eleanor Roosevelt

Adventure is about embracing the unexpected, taking risks, letting things come to us. We take a break from endless planning, acquiring, and honing our lives. We deliberately release control and welcome an element of surprise and challenge. How many of us consciously do this?

Research shows that people who partake in a variety of experiences are more likely to retain positive feelings than people who have fewer experiences. Even the smallest of experiences can have an impact on our joy.

 “Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” Helen Keller

Adventure is an experience that greatly impacts our lives and can begin to define how we live after the adventure. The exact definition for adventure will be different for each of us. For one person it may be to climb a mountain, another it may be to hike through a local park, and for another it may be to go on a mission trip to another country. Everyone can learn valuable experiences that can ultimately change their life. In a way, we are chronicling the story of who we are through the adventures that we pursue.

We humans are creatures of habit. We are comfortable with routine so it can be difficult for each of us to step out of that routine. There will always be something new and enriching to be learned, seen, and experienced.

Reasons to seek adventure:

1. It gets us out of our daily routine.
2. It has been shown to make a person happier.
3. It gives a new appreciation of time.
4. It is good for improving relationships.
5. It disrupts our normal routine allowing us to break old habits and create new ones.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do

than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain

By embracing adventure, we accept the value of mixing things up, trying new approaches to health, life, relationships, and vocation. Seeking out new and possibly uncomfortable situations, we can be in a better position to discover hidden talents and passions. We often learn more about ourselves. Our health can benefit from adventure, too. Routine can breed boredom and boredom leads to overeating, overthinking, and frustrations.

“Adventure isn’t hanging on a rope off the side of a mountain.

Adventure is an attitude that we must apply to the day to day obstacles in life.” John Amatt

I encourage you to do something different every day, it can help you live a life full of adventure, and bring someone along to share the adventure with. Just maybe when people see you they will say these words:

“As soon as I saw you, I knew adventure was about to happen.” Winnie-the-Pooh

So what adventures are you going to pursue? What adventures have you embarked on? I would love to hear what has been your favorite adventure so far this year.