I'm turning 30 in just over 3 months. I've always been one to love birthdays and not just my own. During my college years I would go out and get these mini birthday cakes that the local grocery store had and a balloon for whoever's birthday it was.
There's just something about a celebration!
I never thought turning 30 would phase me in the slightest as a birthday lover, but something clicked last year on my 29th birthday... I thought to myself, "Wow, I can't believe this is my last year in my 20's." It made me feel a bit sad.
At my work, near the end of December, my boss had us pick a word, a single word, that we wanted to represent us in the new year. While soul searching for a word, I decided that I wanted my word to be "adventure." I knew it would be the last year of my 20's and after having a baby in 2012 and devoting all I have to that baby, I wanted a little adventure for myself.
This is where, unexpectedly, I learned the most amazing lesson this year.
You see, I took my word "adventure" in the most literal sense. I traveled. I went to Cincinnati, Milwaukee, New York, and California. I experienced a hurricane in North Carolina. I cut 11 inches off my hair for Locks of Love. I fulfilled a lifelong dream of performing stand-up comedy in front of an audience filled with complete strangers. Then I did something I never even dreamed possible... I trained for 4 months straight and completed a half marathon. I tried new recipes (and failed miserably) I went to concerts and on dates with the love of my life. I saved time for myself and started reading again. I was VERY fortunate to raise more money than I ever have for Back Pack Buddies, but none of that is the point.
The point is very simple.
I had lost sight of what the word "adventure" truly means. I don't need to go on an African safari or even in my dream hot air balloon.
I've learned that adventure is all around me, happening right in front of my face. I was too stubborn to see it before. I thought I needed adventure to be this grand gesture, but I learned I was wrong. Adventure is taking a toddler to her first NBA game and watching her face light up when the dancers perform. Adventure is setting an unthinkable goal and working to achieve it. Adventure is trying to bake brownies when you've run out of eggs. Adventure is practically every day of a marriage. Adventure is making ordinary days extraordinary.
Adventure is challenging yourself to be a bit better.
I'm still a little sad to turn 30. So much good happened in my 20's. It makes it hard to say goodbye.
However, I know big "adventures" await.
Float on...
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