More Adventures

At the beginning of a new year, we tend to think in resolutions, goals, accomplishments we want to make for the upcoming 12 months. Get up, get it done. This year I saw a silly little meme on Facebook that summed up my philosophy. It said, "This year I want to go on more adventures, be around good people, read good books, and surround myself with good energy."

That hit home. As time marches on, it's so easy to focus on the should-dos and must-dos that we forget the adventures. But life is too short to take entirely seriously. I was reminded of that this year, in happy ways and sad. Weddings, funerals and the circle of life--all reminders that time is always ticking--not just for the should-dos, but for the could-dos as well.

Of course the reality of it all is that we can't all have adventure all the time. We have to work, have to pay the bills, have to clean the house. (Stunningly, very few authors are lucky enough to have domestic staff these days.) So my suggestion to you, and my reminder to myself, is to take your adventures when you find them. Small adventures can yield wonderful memories.

When my spouse and I started occasionally babysitting our toddler Grandspawn, we instituted afternoon Adventuretime. (Not to be confused with the cartoon of a similar name.) It didn't always mean anything spectacular. A quick trip to a park, a walk downtown for ice cream cones, or even just a walk. The whole point was just to be together, do something and have fun. For the spouse and I, adventure time might be driving the scenic route home from a business trip, visiting an architectural salvage shop, or even an afternoon in a different time zone--like the Renaissance, or a Gatsby New Year's Eve party. Because tomorrow isn't a guarantee, and every little adventure counts.

So read good books. I hope to write some new books, and that's an adventure as well. Be with good people and surround yourself with good energy. And above all, in 2016, I wish you adventure!