Bask in New Beginnings

This past weekend, I traveled across the country to attend my sister’s graduation. As I sat in the large auditorium and watched the procession of graduates, I realized it had been a long time since I had attended a graduation ceremony. I could feel the excitement in the air – the anticipation of new opportunities and the joy of fulfilling lifelong dreams. For many students, they were at a crossroads. This was a time of celebration and closure after years of hard work as well as a time of new beginnings filled with possibilities and hope.


Graduations are meant to be celebrated. It’s a time in our lives when we truly believe we can make a difference in the world. We reach for our dreams and make them a reality. Willingly, we explore the unknown and dare to try new things. We feel invigorated and alive, and, sometimes, scared to death. Yet, we move forward anyway. We don’t let anything stop us. We believe in our own destiny.

But graduations aren’t the only time we start something new. Our entire lives are filled with new beginnings. Some of them are big beginnings like changing jobs, getting married, or having children. Yet, they don’t have to be. Sometimes those beginnings can be as simple as learning another language, signing up for a cooking class, or even walking through the woods on a different trail. These are all new beginnings, and beginnings are exciting. They help us see the world in a whole new light.

New beginnings are exhilarating and sometimes, downright frightening. When we experience them, we feel like explorers coursing through uncharted waters or pioneers forging ahead on their next adventure. But sometimes, in the monotony of our lives, we don’t see the opportunity for adventure right in front of us. We get stuck in our ruts and often, can't seem to find our way out. Our world quickly becomes very dull and mundane. But that’s when we need to alter our perspective. It’s time to try something new – to change things up a bit. When we step out of our comfort zone, we make new discoveries about ourselves and our world. And although stepping outside our usual routine can sometimes be scary, it's also quite invigorating. It gets our blood pumping and helps us feel truly alive.


A few weeks ago, I experienced my own new beginning when I completed a radical ropes course with my son. He wanted to try the aerial park portion of the course which was twenty feet off the ground. I was a little hesitant at first, but then figured it would be an exciting adventure. We completed the short training on our equipment, and with our harnesses strapped on, we headed for the course. It was definitely challenging as we walked across tight ropes and climbed our way over moving boards and bridges. I only fell once, dangling in mid-air. My harness kept me safe until I regained my balance and continued on with the course. No one had to rescue me, so I figured that was a big success. When we finally finished, I was filled with relief and excitement. My blood was definitely pumping, and I must admit, I was glad to have my feet on solid ground. But I also had a new appreciation for my physical and emotional strength. Without them, I never would have successfully completed the course. This aerial park adventure was an incredible way to connect with my son and is something I will never forget.

This week, think about an adventure you would like to take. Try something new and step out of your comfort zone. Go on that trip to Italy you’ve been talking about for ten years, or take that pottery class through community education. Make the leap and remind yourself of all the simple joys that life offers. Don't get stuck in a rut and wonder what could have happened if you had only learned how to play guitar or talked to that girl at that little Bohemian Café down on the corner. Live your life to the fullest. Feel the excitement and exhilaration that only comes from trying something new. And remember, every adventure doesn’t have to include a harness. : ) Celebrate new beginnings and don’t wait for someone’s graduation to remind you of the many adventures that are waiting for you in this life. Dive in and experience them first-hand. Believe in your own destiny and see the world in a whole new light.

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Published on May 13, 2016 09:33
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