What did you daydream about when you were a kid? Did you dream of adventure? Did you ever want to be a superhero or a princess? Did you pretend to be Elvis or Audrey Hepburn or Indiana Jones or Princess Leia? Did you ever declare that when you grew up you were going to be President? An astronaut? A firefighter? An acrobat? A racecar driver? A figure skater? A baseball player? A spy?
What was your dream? What did you imagine?
When we were kids, the sky was the limit. The coolest, hardest, most exciting jobs were the ones we dreamed about. As a kid, we dreamed of being the hero, of being the best, of thriving on daily adventure.
But then we grew up.
I’m not sure at what point we stuff that sense of adventure down inside and cover it up with everyday responsibilities and practical pursuits, but it inevitably happens to almost all of us. I don’t think we ever completely lose our desire to be a hero, but we typically put it aside in favor of ‘reality.’
As much as we’d like to turn the hand of time, none of us will be kids again. None of us will likely use our imaginations to scale buildings, walk on the moon, rescue damsels in distress, win the Olympic gold medal, or fly around the world at the speed of light. But that doesn’t mean we have to suppress our sense of adventure.
In her autobiography, Eleanor Roosevelt said this about adventure and growing up:
“There is open to our youngsters an infinite field of exciting adventure where the heart and the mind and the spirit can be engaged. Perhaps the older generation is often to blame with its cautious warning: ‘Take a job that will give you security, not adventure.’ But I say to the young: ‘Do not stop thinking of life as an adventure. You have no security unless you can live bravely, excitingly, imaginatively; unless you can choose a challenge instead of competence.’”
Have you stopped thinking about life as an adventure? Do you choose the easy route, the familiar path, the safe bet? Do you stick to what you’re already competent at, or do you choose to take on a challenge?
Don’t be afraid of new opportunities and challenges. Security doesn’t have to mean giving up your imagination. Remember, life should still be an adventure! So next time an opportunity arises, consider choosing a challenge instead of competence.
I think I have a picture somewhere where, as an adult, you were “imaginative adventuring” you were still Elvis. So, yes, some of us don’t let go of some of those dreams. Not teasing you, just jealous.
As usual, you are absolutely correct. In fact, I think I will go try to find that picture. Thank you for reminding me…