Learning to grow up

Learning to grow up does not mean losing your zest for life, your idea of adventure or your fun. It just means that you have a better idea of how to get to all those things. So as we grow older, we can't (or won't) go hike around Yosemite in the middle of winter to get that perfect shot of Vernal Falls in the snow. But you will still hike up in the fall when the leaves are changing color. I may not want to jump out of a perfectly working plane but I will take a hot air ballon ride and see the earth from another perspective. I may not go out and find the perfect wave on the North Shore (Not even when I was there in my 20's actually) but I may swim and snorkle at Molikini. It doesn't mean you have turned into a whimp or an old person just that you have found other aspects of your life that are just as rewarding. Now if you still want to do all those other things, by all means, please go ahead and do them. Me, I love to travel, and there are still many things left on my bucket list. But Neil Simon once said in one of his plays, "I want it all, I know I won't get it, but I can keep reaching for it anyway." or something to that affect.
So to me growing up is choosing whats best for you and making it your own without losing the essence of who you are. We all have to make choices, and adapt to what life throws at us. Sometimes having a brick wall in front of us, just means we turn a corner to see what's ahead. That's the part about travel that I like most, what is up around the bend. It may be the best it may not, but you just don't know till you get there. So, I am full of silly phrases today, but you can't play the game unless you participate.  People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges, so I for one will be participating on my bridge out into the world today. And to all of you who are doing the same, I salute you!

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year to all! It's been a while since I had the time to write about anything but I have to say the holidays are not always everyone's best time of year. For me it is a chance to remember all of those who have passed through my life and are now gone. Since there are a lot of them now that I am older it is a hike down memory lane. Some I know where they are, some I don't, some I am happy they are gone, some sad. But I remember the journeys they have taken us on and the things that each taught me at each stage of my life. I did realize early on that no matter, good or not so good that I learned very important lessons about myself from all of them. And for me that is what we are here for is the journey and the learning.
I know that I didn't learn all that I should have by the time I have arrived at now, but I am still open to learn so that must count for something? I need to keep looking at the big picture I guess. I will have to find a way to do that these days with them filled with long hours of work and the philosphies of life and death. I seem to be in a rut. Maybe it's because I am not used to the cold and wet yet. But I am an adaptable creature or so I have been in the past.
I saw an amazing pod of whales on the one sunny day we had this week and it was a glorious sight. I didn't take any pictures because you can't really see anything but a hump if you can distinguish it from the water, but there was a lot of spouting going on. It was great to see the gray whales going down south. Their journey is so incredible that I would love to go to Baja and see where they end up giving birth. That would be on my bucket list. I have one of those ya know. It's just too long to put down on this. What would be on yours? And who would you go with if you could?
Hope that 2011 is a great year full of adventure and lots of life lessons for all of us.