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!