Make 2017 a Journey of Discovery
How are you approaching the new year? Change is hard for a lot of people and so much will change in the year ahead. I like the idea of seeing it in terms of another leg on your journey. Allie Lousch says it well here:
So many moments of this past year – so many nows – have been lovely.
Which is why embarking on the 2017 Voyage of Discovery is so important. Sweet. Welcome. Wide open. Growth and adventure ahead.
“Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind,” Seneca.
As discombobulating as the journey into the unknown is, it is forward movement. We stay in the here and now too long and our hearts and wonder may atrophy from lack of use.
Or…we can fling our hearts to the wind and chase them down on foot, dogsled, skis, or kayak. We will grow, see more, welcome what was once unknown – unfathomable even – into our living.
A voyage is a hopeful thing.
While voyaging, we know we will be changed. We pack our prayers and bags, load up fresh ink for the journal, grab an apple, take a bite, and go. (“Rise and eat for the journey is too great for you.”*)
We can plan our itinerary to the minute and no more know what we’ll encounter than had we thrown a dart at a map and bought a ticket to the place the dart landed. We are ripe for discovery.
Discovery.
As voyagers – journeying people – discovery happens any and everywhere. We move from our known mindsets to something new. The Krakkens of our disappointments will seek us in our journeying vulnerability. We grow stronger and more agile with each encounter.
We can try to predict exactly what’s ahead. I’m all for contingency plans, but if something sweet can fall off the rails with such dizzying force, surely the future has wondrous surprises, too. I bear witness to unknown winds pushing my tiny sinking boat to friendly shores. Paths unfolding. A way being made.
Let’s count on such yet-knowns to rise in the way ahead. A Voyage of Discovery in 2017 has every opportunity to give life rather than take it.
We must go out to meet it. If we don’t, who will? Who will discover the way ahead for us all if we good-hearted people don’t risk the journey?
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Burn the ships!!
My dear friend. One of the greatest adventures in my life happened when I met you. Karen was the spice and penetrating insights and as your kids came alone (like ours) everything just started to feel like a reality television program. 🙂 I’m 103 countries later from when we first met at Wheaton College. The “road is long with many a winding turn” but being a pilgrim with a ragamuffin heart is made so much better when you have authentic people in your life. Like you. Like Karen. Like your kids and progeny. I sure love you.
Yes, Butch, we have taken many a winding turn on the road that we have walked. We have laughed much and loved well. Thanks for the friendship. Praying for you and for Mikia as we close out the year.
Hi Gary. I’d enjoy connecting sometime.
Would enjoy that Butch, let me know what works!