The Ride | Discovery

DEFINITION: The process of finding information, a place, or an object, especially for the first time.

I love discovering things. It fills my heart with so much joy, especially when I take a chance at doing something I’ve never done before. All of a sudden, there is this unplanned moment of discovery and the experience reveals beauty or knowledge that I can carry throughout my day, even my life in some cases..

Going into something with an open heart and open mind to discover new places, people, or ideas can do a soul some good.

I believe the drab of the same ole same ole creates inertia when it comes to our personal growth and with the introduction of new things, it is like a shot of good energy. Personally, it is through such experiences that has helped me create a beautiful life for myself. It shows up, big time, when I travel, whether in another country or just up the way.

Some years ago, I started day tripping, taking a trip to a destination and returning home on the same day, when I lived in Oregon. Oregon is a big state, mind you, so day trips could only be so far away but what discoveries I made in the process! Later, I included my dear friend, Liam, on these adventures and we set a regular intention when we went out on our journey. We would visit the local library and find a dive bar to have lunch at. The latter, we discovered, would offer opportunities to chat with some of the locals and enjoy the best burger in town! On one such adventure, I won $50 in an instant lottery game that paid for our inexpensive lunch and also provided a hefty tip to the bartender. We also checked out architecture and discovered hidden natural treasures along the way.

Although I no longer live in the Pacific Northwest, I continue my day tripping adventures to this day. Living through the pandemic was a challenge on many levels, but to be able to hop in my car to check out new-to-me outdoor beauty helped keep me healthy in so many ways.

This is what I have learned: the thing about discovery is, there is always a sense of awe. Who doesn't like to feel awestruck?! It's awesome! Pun totally intended there.  I've also taken the time to go inward to discover who I have become and rediscovered long-lost dreams that I am now breathing new life into. I rediscovered my love of performing and now enjoy a part-time career as an actor.

Books, podcasts, and even films can be fodder for discovery. When you invest time in becoming self-aware, those moments will offer up a few signposts to get you started. You can map out a road trip of a proverbial kind to go out into the world to see if these hints are indeed leading you on a path of joyful living.

As we discover more about who we are and how others show up in the world, it can also help us determine our boundaries. For example, I've discovered that when someone doesn't do what they promise to do, I have an emotional response to it which has led me to get a bit more curious about it rather than taking it personally. I discovered that when these things happen, it triggers some childhood hurts around my mom's lack of keeping promises with me. 

I've discovered art on a whole different level, whether in my local community or a spectacular museum in another country. Spending time just looking at art has revealed emotions ranging from tear-filled joy to pangs of grief. As a member of this human race, I want to be more aware of my feelings and I discovered these activities have helped me with processing things.

Another cool thing about being open to Discovery is it is a lifelong experience in learning. I know my worldview has become more expansive in comparison to a decade ago and certainly since childhood. For me, being open-minded is a journey that helps me live a full and enriching life. I suspect it would be for you as well, dear reader.

I like doing the work of excavating forgotten dreams that might make heart-filled sense to bring back to life. I also benefit from discovering how lived experiences continue to shape me, shape all of us.

In the book Walking in This World by Julia Cameron, she takes you on the path of self-discovery through sharing her stories and motivating readers through action steps and exercises, one of which is the Artist Date. This is something you do alone for yourself in order to reclaim your inherent creative self. Perhaps you do not have a life that provides time to head out on a weekly adventure such as this, but frequency isn't core to it. If you can only do so, periodically, by all means do it! Following through on your intention to’ fill the well’ as she calls it is always a noble effort to discover more about who you want to be in this world and what your own boundaries are. There are many other resources out there to help you prime the pump of your intention to build your best life and I am sharing a few of my favorites that might be of use.

I also believe that embarking on a journey of discovery also requires courage. Many of us don't like change and new experiences inherently bring that to anything you do. I like to look at it as experimenting. By reframing it that way, it takes the pressure off for an expected successful outcome.

Discovery is a journey onto itself. As you take the first step, in  many cases, you will likely be presented with a few options for that second, third, and many other steps on your personal journey of self-discovery. And, keep in mind that discoveries of an external sort certainly will inform the internal side of things.  Even if such efforts feel like so-called failures, you have learned something that can propel you to the next step in your exploration. .

I believe that once you lean into becoming aware of things you can then take the courageous first step to discover more about it. Also remind yourself to be compassionate with yourself if it turns out to be a big old nothing. Keep in mind that those darn limiting beliefs we carry around with us might prevent you from ever taking the first step but by leaning into them, you can open up a whole new world for yourself. 

Let the discovery antics begin!


RESOURCE LINKS

• Daytripping with Denny K
• Walking in this World
• The Ride | Limiting Beliefs

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