To Inspire and to be Inspired

Story or adventure?

I think I’ll start with a “story”. But the key here is just getting started. This is something that I’ve been wanting to do since I discovered The Outbound Collective site about a year ago. I think about it often and have had ideas and experiences that I have thought about writing but have yet to ACTUALLY do it. So here I am, on a rainy Saturday morning, avoiding all the “real world” things I should be doing such as spring cleaning and the pile of work to do before Monday morning.

I’m here. Now what? That begs the question…what do I write about? Do I take the time to introduce myself? Do I validate what I may have to say now or in the future? Would that matter? I think for me, events are linear (ironic because I frequently talk in a spiral manner) meaning “A” leads to “B” leads to “C”. During conversations with friends, I feel the need to let them in on all the details, reasons and circumstances that lead to the ACTUAL story (which might be “M”…so we could be here awhile). Learning to cut to the point will be a challenge for me on this platform. However, if I want to inspire people through my stories, experiences and adventures, I will need to be able to convey that concisely with confidence and a bit of me. I will also need to be consistent with my posts, another shortfall. Consistency and habit. I am using this post as a book-marker and promise to myself to be consistent.

The decision to write this morning did not come without deliberation. Do I have a story worth sharing? Can I convey it in a real and meaningful manner? Do I really want to tell people about my favorite “secret” places? What makes a good writer? What would I write about? Do I REALLY want to commit to more computer time? Will people find what I write about interesting? Does it matter if they do? Do I have time for this? Have the stories, trails, or experiences already been told? If so, does this matter?

Why do I want to write? Why am I drawn to share my story? Is it because I’m narcissistic? Do I believe that I’m better than others who shared the experience? Or am I looking for a sense of camaraderie?

This. I think that it’s this. And for a creative outlet that will stretch me, push my comfort zone, and be susceptible for criticism in an arena that I love. The outdoors.  

So, why would I want to share my adventures? This answer came easier for me. To inspire. I want to inspire people to explore the world around them. Enjoy nature but also respect it. I want people to know that you don’t have to climb Manchu Pichu, see the view from a Hot Air balloon, or scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef (all on my bucket list) to call yourself an Explorer. Or “outdoorsy”. Or a traveler. Find it in your own backyard. In good ole REI fashion, “Opt Outside”.

My goals are not the same as yours. My reality is not the same as yours. There is no better or worse. We can get stuck, myself included, lusting over other people’s lives through social media. But find your story and OWN IT.

Camaraderie. I love talking to others that love exploring. I love sharing my experiences and listening to others. That is why The Outbound speaks to me. I am not here to compare my abilities or adventures to the others. I am here to share. I am here to celebrate others’ accomplishments. I am here to inspire. I am here to be inspired.

Kayaking in Grand Teton National Park, July 4th, 2017.