In the last week, I’ve been involved in a couple different conversations about the opportunities that surround us. The consistent theme in those conversations, though, has been TAKING those opportunities.
I had a birthday a week or so ago. I like to get out and be active in general, but for my birthday I usually try to make a special effort to do something. I’m not talking wild parties or things like that. Those days are (mostly) behind me. But I like to do something for my birthday to help me remember why I’m alive. Of course, it’s probably me trying to convince myself that I’m not getting older, too.
In one conversation, a good friend made the comment that he had always wanted to take a ride on a riverboat and go through the locks on the river. A few texts to my friend JD Pauley later and we had set up a river trip on the sternwheeler Hobby III. We cruised through the locks at Marmet and had a great day on the water. It was a day full of talking about the history of the river and the industry and what the Great Kanawha River means to West Virginia.
As a diver, when I can, I like to make a dive on my birthday. Of course, I like to make a dive in some exotic location, but honestly that’s not as important to me as getting in the water and blowing bubbles. I learned to dive in Summersville Lake and spent a lot of time there before heading to other dive sites. So, for this birthday, I called up Todd Harrell and he said “Let’s go!” We made a great dive in the lake, floating around, taking photos and chasing fish. It was a great feeling.
Neither of these experiences might be anyone else’s cup of tea, and that’s fine. They are the things I’m interested in. But the important thing is to take advantage of opportunities when they come up. I’ve been told many times “You are so lucky!” when I share photos of some adventure (great or small). My response is always that I agree, but it really has nothing to do with luck. It’s about the willingness to take risks. It’s about getting off the couch and seeing the world around you. Neither of these adventures I talked about took a long car ride or a trip to the airport. They were adventures right here at home..
