I was talking with my family tonight and we were coming up with a list of ways to “Redefine The Experience” and add adventure into our lives.

I suppose it’s important to define what exactly adventure is and why people benefit so greatly from it (even in small quantities.)

Noun Here’s the source.

S: (n) adventure, escapade, risky venture, dangerous undertaking (a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful))

Now, personally I believe adventure does not have to be dangerous at all. I suppose that any notion of danger or risk mankes the payoff that much greater. Perhaps that’s the only thing that makes it an adventure.

I consider an adventure anything that takes you outside of your comfort zone. Anything that takes you off the beaten path and hopefully expands your horizons. Some people are more subtle than others….

I have a few ideas on simple ways you can put adventure into your daily life.  For many people, even though these are small and easy to implement, they can be very frightening and risky – because acting outside of the usual could have “unknown” results.

Why do people fear the unknown?

J. Krishna Murthi in his work “ The First and Last Freedom” writes that the popular perception about fear and its causes is not what the reality is. (I have no idea who this person is but I enjoyed the quote below.)

Fear can only be caused by the known, and not the unknown. People fear death. In normal circumstances, death can not be known or perceived. How can we fear something which we have not seen or of whose pain or severity we have had no personal experience? Then what causes fear? Krishnamurthy explains that the fear actually comes from the imagined pain of permanent separation from the near and dear ones and from the cherished possessions , luxuries and life’s enjoyments.

It is this perception of separation that is the real cause of fear.

So what could separate us from that we love? Certainly taking actions that are outside the norm could. However, that’s just our fear talking.

Once you take a little jaunt to the left or right, any entire world you didn’t know existed will reveal itself to you. You might think back (as I did) and wonder, “What on earth was I afraid of? This is great!!”

OK – so now for some ideas….

Sit down to dinner and eat the entire meal…..blindfolded. If you have a family – this is almost guaranteed to be a hilarious experience. Videotape if if you can. Having your kids try to feed you will up this to a side splitting level.

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Take off your shoes during lunch an take a brisk walk around the nearest fountain. (IN the fountain!) People may scoff initially but most admire (even secretly) the bravado displayed in such an act. It tends to send a message that you don’t need permission from others to experience your life.

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Wear a bow tie or a little pair of angel wings ALL day. (Something off beat and not a part of your normal routine) When someone asks you why just say you lost a bet and are not a liberty to discuss the details. (That’s the terms of the bet.) At the very least, people who see you will know that you honor your word no matter what. An incredible quality. If you feel this is deceptive, email me. I will bet you to put a noodle through your nose. You’ll default and lose the bet and all will be well and you can put those fairy wings on now. If that’s too much, just start with bright red or pink socks.

The benefit of going against the grain and making NO apologies and NO excuses cannot be described. It’s just worth it. Be sure to tell me about it after you’ve broken out!

How have you broken out of your comfort zone?

What little adventure have you taken?

Related posts:

1. Navigating Your Fear, Risky Situations, Big Rewards
2. George Costanza Had It Right…Adventure Challenge
3. One Way To Create Your Own Adventure…
4. Do This And Your World Will Change
5. Create Adventure No Matter Where You Live!