Find your adventure - Don't Be A Wage Slave

From our youth, most are filled with an audacious sense of adventure and look to the legends of the past. Swashbuckling heroes fill countless schoolroom notebooks and libraries. Many times, we choose a favorite champion from history — King Arthur of the Round Table, (1) Robinson Crusoe (2) marooned on an island, or more contemporary heroes, such as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Real-life figures can further represent our men of courage; accordingly, Sir Francis Drake, (3) Christopher Columbus, or even Sir Winston Churchill (4) come to mind.

In all of this, many fail to realize that the real adventure in life is the existence I live — I am the true hero of the self. In saying this, there is a tendency to equate this realization with vanity or pomposity. Nothing could be further from the truth, however. The understanding that consciousness is a private experience between the individual and God enables me to fully comprehend the immense gift I have received at birth — and the weighty obligation that this conveys — to fulfill my mission in life. As with all good epics, the story must unfold to the attraction of the reader — figuratively, to the audience. It is the same for everyone. If I fail to create a great story about my life, my adventure, no one will read it or be attracted to it. There are countless numbers of books. Few, unfortunately, are best sellers because the author has not taken the time to develop the plot. It is, essentially, a boring tale and will simply not sell. So it is with me, I must take the time to educate myself and cultivate the narrative and escapades I want in my life.

This is the essence of the personal brand. A disproportionate number of people ignore the fact that I occupy a private place. The pains, frustrations, and losses of the average person are of little input, little value, unless I adopt them and make them a part of my reality. I can play the victim. Conversely, I can display a hero in the world. It is up to me. For example, if I want to develop good taste and impeccable manners, I must make the decision and begin to acquire the skills.

I recently listened to an interview with businesswoman Sylvia Ann Hewlett. (5) She described how she changed her accent to enhance her career opportunities, thereby improving her personal brand. She was British, very bright, and born into a loving, working-class, Welsh family. Eventually, she got a scholarship to Cambridge. She did very well at school, scholastically. Then, one fortuitous day, one of her professors suggested that her thick Welsh accent would limit her progress in the future. She thus changed her manner of speech over the following two years or so.

Now, most of us today are fortunate to live in a diverse world where no one will judge us because of our accent. Whether we speak Chinese-English, Canadian-English, or French-English, to name but a few, will have little bearing on our social standing. What will matter, nonetheless, will be the style and the adventure that I bring to my brand. Take some time and find your adventure. It is there for all of us to uncover. Eleanor Roosevelt leaves us with a thought: Do not stop thinking of life as an adventure. You have no security unless you can live bravely, excitingly, imaginatively; unless you can choose a challenge instead of competence.

A closing thought: In our day-to-day lives, it is difficult to be aware of the fact that I live in this reality, but once. What I do with my life is of my own creation. It is important to reflect on the person I am supposed to become in my life — and find my adventure, whatever that means to me.

To sum up: This week, we spoke about finding your adventure in life.

To be noted: From Marcus Aurelius (6) — Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.

Just for fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq5BF86AeSQ&list=RDEq5BF86AeSQ&start_radio=1

For reflection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZeiXaEi6HE

This week, on your thoughtful walk, please reflect on what your life adventure means to you.

Every day, look for something magical and beautiful.

Don’t be a wage slave – critical thinking is great!