Learning Life's Adventure Lesson

Learning Life's Adventure Lesson

(Yeah, the type/font is going to be a little different because I want this to look more like something you'd do for a class -- will it work? Eh, who knows?)

This week we have been talking about the fact that life is an adventure! That being so, we must understand that the word "adventure" does not always mean "enjoyable". Let me remind you that the adventures we see people participate in usually have the "exhilaration factor" highlighted and you usually don't see the struggle aspect.

Sometimes you do, and I'm thankful for those programs that show the good, the bad AND the ugly of an adventure!

Too many times we wistfully watch a television program and think about how wonderful it would be "IF ONLY" we could have such an adventure in our life!

So, DO something about it.

That's right. If you want to live a life of adventure then DO it!

You see, you don't have to go climb a high mountain in a foreign country or travel around the world to have an adventure. Sure, it'd be quite an adventure to be able to do those things but, my friend, GET THIS POINT - adventure is awaiting you each and every day right where you are! Are you willing to take the risk (the good, bad AND the ugly) that comes with it?

And, yes, trying to figure out how you're going to survive when you have several mouths to feed and you just lost your job IS an adventure. Sure, it's one we'd rather not have to live through - but, regardless, it IS an adventure.

"Oh wait, that's not the kind of adventure I was talking about when I said I wish I had some adventure in my life."

Sorry. Too bad. It happens anyway, doesn't it?

Without repeating myself too much please understand that you CAN survive. The proof comes in the fact that either YOU have survived before or you know others that have done so. So, YES, either you can do it AGAIN or realize that you, too, CAN survive and make it through this "adventure" in your life.

You will hear - my guess is 100% of the time - those that experience these extreme adventures in their life talk about what they learned about themselves in the process. I'd guess that if you go through such a thing and you DON'T learn some important lessons about yourself - you probably died along the way!

But not before you learned something.

The example I used in today's podcast was this: "If you're going to have your heart ripped out due to losing a loved one, why not - WHY NOT - try to learn something through the process?"

Again, perhaps we learned not to take people for granted, or the day for granted. Perhaps we learned the value of telling those close to you that you love them as often as possible. But, learn SOMETHING! And, the thing is, whether you actually realize it or not, you DO learn something from life's adventure struggles.

If you are currently involved in a "life adventure", take a moment and ask yourself a.) what you ARE learning and, b.) what you NEED to learn in the process.

If you are struggling financially perhaps ask yourself what you NEED to learn so that you can prevent this from being a recurring cycle in your life.

THIS IS IMPERATIVE if we are going to not only survive but also THRIVE in this adventure we call life!

You can do it and you CAN grow and learn as you encounter life's adventures.

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Surviving Life's Adventure

Surviving Life's Adventure

Just like the roller coaster above, life has it's UPs and it has it's DOWNs!

When you really think about it, what I have said this week is definitely true - LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE!

It just seems to be "human nature" for us to like it/enjoy it when things are on the "up" swing, right? However, I don't know that I've ever met anyone that actually expressed a liking to life when it is in a "down" swing and doing so at break-neck speed.

Oh, I've read words from people that have said we need to do this, but I've never actually met one. Have you?

So, here's the focus for the day - you CAN survive life's adventure!

You DO HAVE the ability to survive the struggles as well as life's celebrations!

How do I know that? Simple. You're still here.

The fact that you are still here reading this blog shows that YOU have the ability to survive life's ups and downs even if it's not fun!

"As long as there is breath there is hope!" I came up with this quote over a year ago and it is as true today as it was then and it will continue to be true for the rest of time!

As long as you are alive and breathing there is HOPE for something to change. And YOU have the ability to put that change into action.

Are you going to tell me that you have never had to get creative in order to survive life's adventure? Sure you have! Hey, "McGyver" has nothing on you! You've had to learn how to juggle bills or juggle jobs or..... you can fill in this part, right?

Has it always been easy? NO!

But, remember, no adventure is "easy" - that's what makes it an adventure! The risk involved ensures that it is not going to be an easy task. Seriously, what would be the adventure if it was all easy?

Now, please understand that I KNOW it's easier for me to sit and type these words than to remember them when things get tough. But, I know this about myself as well. I CAN because I already HAVE!

That's right. Just like you (and everyone else) I have survived which tells me that I can do it again - regardless of what life throws at me. And, yes, some things may knock me for a bigger loop and make it harder to get back up on my feet....but I WILL get back up on my feet. I know I can and I know I will.

Why? Because I - like you - am a SURVIVOR of life's adventure!

Take a look back at your life - as painful as it may be - and just notice times in your life that you have pulled through and survived when, at the time, it seemed like it might be impossible to do so.

Yeah, see? You CAN do it. You've done it before and you can do it again.

So, what's there to be afraid of?

Indeed, life IS an adventure and it's an adventure that YOU can survive.

So... let's go!

And, as you do so...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Adventure Involves Risk!

Adventure Involves Risk!

It's quite a dilemma, really.

Think about it. The idea of having an adventure sounds quite exciting, doesn't it?

It SOUNDS exciting until you start thinking about that darned RISK factor!

Wouldn't it be nice if you could figure out a way to have an adventure with all of the risk removed? Wouldn't that be wonderful?

I can tell you how you can do that right now! Go sit on your front porch in a rocking chair and just rock away! Yup, knock yourself out.

Bottom line - ANY adventure and ALL adventure involves risk! That, my friend, is what makes it an adventure.

As we continue to talk about living life as an adventure we must also consider the fact that, even in life, the fact that there are RISKS out there makes it an adventure!

But, how many of us try to avoid as many risks as possible? Now, please understand, I'm not promoting being foolish and not making adequate plans for success. Playing the lottery involves risk. Playing the lottery with the plan being for your winnings to be your retirement is not only risky, but - in my opinion - it's also quite foolish.

So, now that we are on the same page let's ask ourselves a very important question: "Do I REALLY want ALL risks removed from my life?"

It is really easy to become comfortable with our present life and to not want to do ANYTHING out of the "ordinary". It's easy to allow the "fear of failure" (risk) to keep us where we are even though our inner being may be crying out for more!

Please understand, this is NOT for everyone! There are some people that are completely happy with the status quo and that have NO DESIRE whatsoever to change anything about their lives. If they are happy with that - God bless 'em!

But, my guess is that this does not describe you! My guess is that, if you are reading this blog and if you are listening to my podcasts then you are one of those people that feels the NEED to do something more and to actually DEMAND something more out of yourself and out of your life.

If that describes you, I understand that fear of risk! Seriously, I do. I deal with it every day just like anyone else that pushes themselves to follow their dream.

Dreaming is easy! Following that dream by taking that first step and then another and then another is the hard part!

Why? Because it involves RISK.

But, remember, where there is risk, there is also adventure!

So, friend, let's get on up out of that rockin' chair and take a step off of that porch and let's start taking those steps toward your goals and your dreams.

One step at a time.

And, as you do...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

What Adventure Are YOU Ready For?

What Adventure Are YOU Ready For?

In the March issue of Success magazine, Jeff Probst (host of "Survivor") makes the following quote that I used for the "spring board" for today's discussion: "The adventure you're ready for is the one you'll get!".

Are YOU approaching life as an adventure? Are you LIVING life or are you merely "existing"? These are some things I'd like you to seriously consider as we go through this discussion. I do encourage you to read the article that I've mentioned. I have posted it on the FYU fan page on Facebook but, for your convenience, here is the link:

http://www.successmagazine.com/jeff-probst-a-survivors-perspective/PARAMS/article/987

This article will challenge you and, I believe at the same time, inspire you to approach each and every day with a little bit different outlook - AN ADVENTURE!

Another quote that I used from the article was this - "I'm here for an uncertain amount of time and I want to get the most out of it."

Hey friend, what Mr. Probst says is true for us all! We ALL have an uncertain amount of time here - so what are YOU doing with YOURS?

I've shared thoughts before on the movie, "The Bucket List" in which two men make a list of things that they wish to do before they die. We should ALL create such a list! MTV also ran a show with a similar theme ("The Buried Life") featuring a group of young men that were setting out to check off items on their list while helping people along the way complete something on their own list. Likely, we all get inspired by such things but, does it change us or inspire us enough to actually DO something?

Tell me, friend, what do YOU do to keep your days from becoming a monotonous routine if you do the exact same thing every day for years at a time? What do YOU do to keep from taking your days from granted? What do YOU do to squeeze the adventure available out of each and every day?

You don't have to become a contestant on a show like "Survivor" or "The Amazing Race" to enjoy and experience the joy of life right where you are! It's not always easy to do, but isn't that part of what makes it such an adventure?

You see, just like everything else I talk about - this is a choice and it is YOUR choice!

How you approach your day is YOUR choice. You either choose to dread the day and go through it merely "existing" OR you can choose to anticipate the day with excitement and attack the day (yes, along with it's problems) as the adventure that it is and retire at the end of the evening feeling that you have, indeed, lived an adventure!

It's up to YOU!

Now, this takes a little "advanced training" in the area of "adventure - living" but it's something to strive for... each and every problem that comes your way is an adventure waiting for you! If you will allow yourself to develop a mindset that will help you approach even your problems and your struggles in this way then you will also begin to live a life of "adventure" while others simply go through each day griping and complaining about the problems in their lives.

This DOESN'T mean that it is always fun! Most adventures involve some hardship and some times that just aren't fun...BUT that is part of the adventure!

To be able to push yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually beyond your perceived abilities is what makes life such an adventure!

"Wow, I didn't know I could do that!" is a much better way to live than to always wonder IF you could have or what MIGHT you could have done "IF ONLY".

So, friend, what adventure are YOU ready for today?

I'd love to hear from you on this one. I'd love to be inspired by YOUR story and YOUR adventure of life. Please share with me anytime by dropping me an e-mail at: mike@futureyouuniversity.com

And, as we live this life of adventure, be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

I don't usually answer this, but I will today....NO ONE!

Mike

What Will It Take? (Part 2)

What Will It Take? (Part 2)

Do you REALLY want to have a "HAPPY" New Year?

The DO something! That's right - make a choice, make a decision and then carry that out with ACTION!

Have you ever considered how many people die with their dreams left as just that - dreams? Have you ever considered how many plans are left undone when someone dies? Now, honestly, I hope to live my life in such a way that I NEVER fully complete all of the things that I'd like to accomplish BUT...we both know what I'm talking about here, right?

Stop living life in such a way that you will one day (and that day is getting closer and closer) look back with regret and say, "You know, I sure wish I had done something with those plans I had."

What a sad thing to have to say.

Is that thought enough to push you to action? Again, WHAT WILL IT TAKE?

Hey, we're in this thing together - I believe that and I hope that you, too, also believe that and know that!

Hey, here is an article that I wrote almost a year ago - in February of 2009 - that I think really "speaks" to what I'm trying to say here with this thought. Enjoy it and GET READY TO JUMP!

JUMP OUT OF THE PLANE ALREADY!

The last two Sunday evenings I have watched a television show with my family - especially my youngest son - that features a bunch of "nuts" (yup, that's what I called them!) that do all kinds of crazy stunts like jumping tricycles on ramps, riding motorcycles into the water and riding them on top of the water as far as they can, jumping out of planes --- without a parachute (allowing someone else to come to them and pull THEIR chute! )and all other kinds of things.

Now, these guys (and one gal) are all professionals at what they do. They make tons of money and, yes, they live life on the edge!

I call them "nuts" because I think they're crazy. But then, I think again. You may not agree with me but try to follow my train of thought anyway, o.k.? They are living life TO THE FULL and LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY! Oh, I know that maybe it's not EVERY minute - but you get the idea.

They are not living their lives wondering "what if" in anything. What a way to live! My wife thinks it would be awesome to jump out of an airplane. Me? I'm scared of heights BUT I think if I could get past the initial shock, it might be pretty cool. The problem is - if I have a heart attack and die due TO that initial shock - so much for the thrill the rest of the way, right?

BUT HERE'S MY POINT...We may not all be able to literally jump out of an airplane. But....what is it you and I need to do TODAY that will be - for us in our everyday lives - like jumping out of an airplane?

WE LIVE OUR LIVES TOO COMFORTABLY AND SECURELY and we MUST change that and LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL!

I have lived too many years (and allowed too many years to go by) with regret. They are gone. I cannot get them back. BUT I can do something about the time I have NOW!

I am going to push myself to JUMP OUT OF THE PLANE ALREADY! Enough of the hanging around thinking about it. Enough of the "wondering". Enough of the self-defeating talk that keeps me from stepping out and going for it.

IT'S TIME TO JUMP!!!!! It's like a speaker I heard this past summer at a conference say, "Jump and develop your wings on the way down!". WOW!

Are you following me here? What is it for you? PUSH, SHOVE, KICK yourself out of your COMFORT ZONE and JUMP!!!

I want today to end with the thought of, "WOW! What an AMAZING DAY! I can't believe I did that!"

Anyone ready to strap on their " 'chute" and join me?

On the count of 3.......

1......

2.......

-------------------and, as always,

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)

Mike