ESSAYS | Curiosity + Priorities, Part 1

This morning I took a new path, one just to the right of a path I had traveled with my husband a few times previously. I didn’t know where it would take me, I wasn’t sure how long I’d be out, but I was excited just a few feet onto the trail to see a slightly different landscape then I do on my usual walks. I had entered into a more rocky terrain, just miles from my house; rocky, wooded terrain that I didn’t know existed. 

One of my favorite things to do is set out on an adventure in my own town. We all get stuck traveling the same roads, running errands at the same places, even buying the same ingredients week after week to make the same 5 meals over and over. We forget that there are surprises right in front of us just by trying a new dinner recipe or by taking the long way home. We forget that there is a slightly different path just to the right of where we walk nearly everyday.

In the past several years, as I have grown more aware of this happening in my own life, I make it a point to step out of my comfort zone and into an unknown; to feel the tiny feeling of fear because I’m just not sure what lies ahead. This morning it was a simple choice to walk through the woods instead of the paved path. I didn’t have my phone to look up the trail, I didn’t have my watch on to know the time or how many steps I was going. I trusted my gut, stayed present to my surrounding so I could find my way back and you know what…what I found was a light inside of myself. The light of curiosity and wonder. I marveled at the early light pouring through the trees, the squirrel that I scared who loudly squealed as she ran up the tree, and the ravine between two inclines reminding me of our adventures in the cloud forest in Ecuador. I was transported to another state of mind, all in my own backyard.

We have these opportunities daily. But I believe it comes down to two things: curiosity and priorities. So many people speak to me about how frustrated they are with their lives or how stuck they feel – in their life, their creativity, and beyond. So many people walk through life thinking life is happening TO THEM instead of taking an active roll in the decisions that are made and the reactions to the feelings that are felt. {This goes without saying, but to be clear, I am not speaking about trauma or more serious hardships in one’s life. I am speaking about the everyday funk and patterns we get into that lead us to feel disconnected, frustrated, uninspired, and stuck.}

We hold more power inside of ourselves to prioritize our own curiosity, to live more full and abundant lives, and to seek wonder at every turn.

This is a 3 (maybe more if the thoughts keep coming…) part series. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post.
xoxo
Sarah