Adventure and exploration

  • Adventure and exploration,  Fun stuff,  grandparenting

    Is anybody having fun yet?

    “We all accept too easily that life has to be hard, and we forget to make sure we have the most fun we can.” ~Amy Schumer Remember when you were a kid and having fun was a top priority? As we mature, we settle down and become responsible. We have to earn a living, take care of our basic needs, plan for the future, and periodically solve problems and put out a few fires. Somewhere along the way, the whole world starts looking darker and more complex, and we lose our joie de vivre. And we forget how to play. Or let me put it this way: The grown-up definition…

  • Adventure and exploration,  Change and challenge

    Setting sail

    “A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” ~John A. Shedd  Sometimes it’s wise to put safety first — such as crossing the street in rush-hour traffic. Likewise, we should check the expiration labels on our food, wash our hands frequently, and never share personal information with strangers on the phone. Playing it safe isn’t such a bad thing — unless we get so complacent (or agoraphobic) that we rarely leave our own harbor. Earlier this week, a friend told me that pandemic isolation nearly turned her into a social loner. She got a little too cozy staying home, she said, so she’s…

  • Adventure and exploration,  Health & wellbeing,  Inspirational quotes

    A compass for everyday living

    “Leave the road, take the trails.” ~Pythagoras When I’m in a hurry to reach a specific destination, I don’t mind driving the expressway. But my favorite vacation memories usually involve exploring country back roads, where greener landscapes or small towns await discovery. Side streets and backstories — even those near our own hometown — are too easy to miss when we’re speeding down the interstate. Today’s quote also serves as a direction for everyday living. Wherever your journey takes you this weekend, why not take the scenic route? ~CL

  • Adventure and exploration,  Pandemic stories,  Personal growth

    How big is your world?

    “The world only exists in your eyes. You can make it as big or as small as you want.” ~F. Scott Fitzgerald I’ve been staying close to home for the past week while recovering from a virus — and I’m reminded of how my world started shrinking during the pandemic. Oddly, after the first few weeks in lockdown, I didn’t feel as caged as I thought I would. I found countless ways to amuse myself around the house, spending the extra time reading, puttering, organizing, and exploring my inner world. At the same time, however, I also lost my sense of adventure. It was too easy to settle in, waiting…