Adventures
I have always enjoyed travel and was born with a gene that propels me to go and see "what is on the other side of the mountain". In 2001, I felt compelled to leave South Africa and see what is on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, in the other hemisphere and our adventures lead me to settle in Connecticut, USA. Yes - it is a great adventure.
While writing an article today to coach yourself and get the best from job promotions, I came across this wonderful collection of quotes about adventures.
I agree with most of these quotes. I have learned to take advice from travellers when I am travelling and to ignore advice from those sitting by the wayside. As Alan Weiss says "Take ski lessons from a ski instructor as he goes down the slope in front of you. Don't take advice from the ski instructor who teaches from the fireside back at the lodge"
Here is a great quote from this page of quotes: "There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign."- Robert Louis Stevenson. As a South African living in America, I fully agree with Mr. Stevenson. I don't speak with any accent - it is you that speaks with an American accent!
However, I especially disagree with Bilbo Baggins who proclaims that adventures are "Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!" For me, adventures make life worth living. Don't be afraid of adventure. Seek out adventure and the uncertainty it brings. Looking around, I see that most Americans can certainly afford to occasionally be late for dinner - and completely miss a handful of meals, but this is the topic for another time :)
While writing an article today to coach yourself and get the best from job promotions, I came across this wonderful collection of quotes about adventures.
I agree with most of these quotes. I have learned to take advice from travellers when I am travelling and to ignore advice from those sitting by the wayside. As Alan Weiss says "Take ski lessons from a ski instructor as he goes down the slope in front of you. Don't take advice from the ski instructor who teaches from the fireside back at the lodge"
Here is a great quote from this page of quotes: "There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign."- Robert Louis Stevenson. As a South African living in America, I fully agree with Mr. Stevenson. I don't speak with any accent - it is you that speaks with an American accent!
However, I especially disagree with Bilbo Baggins who proclaims that adventures are "Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!" For me, adventures make life worth living. Don't be afraid of adventure. Seek out adventure and the uncertainty it brings. Looking around, I see that most Americans can certainly afford to occasionally be late for dinner - and completely miss a handful of meals, but this is the topic for another time :)
posted by Wayne Botha @ 10:07 AM
2 Comments:
At January 19, 2009 10:54 AM ,
Bob Smiley said...
If I remember my chronicles correctly, Bilbo himself could have "afforded" being late for dinner, and after a certain "coming of age," put away his childish notion of avoiding adventure and actually sought them out! His greatest adventure, reportedly, came at the very end of his life, which we know nothing of other than his departure; but it is certain that he would not have embarked on this final grand adventure if it weren't for this prior adventures which changed his opinion of adventures (and of other traditional values, like being on time for dinner and leading a nice quiet peaceful introverted life).
What I find interesting, however, is that you find Connecticut to be an adventure. Being from the US myself, I would think South Africa would be much more adventurous. I guess this is the "grass is always greener" syndrome (sometimes manifesting itself in the business world as the "not invented here" syndrome).
At January 19, 2009 11:33 AM ,
Wayne Botha said...
Hi Bob,
What a great insight. Your are correct - the grass often appears greener somewhere else. It may not always be greener, but it sure is an adventure to go take a look and see.
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