It was bound to happen eventually — I’m officially a blogger. I’ve joined the legions of narcissists who assume that someone in the intrawebs wants to hear what they have to say. But I have other reasons for starting this — I’m challenging myself to get out of my comfort zone. As my blog name “Deliberate Spontaneity” suggests, I’m not the adventurous or spontaneous type. Now, friends of mine who knew me in my 20s (aw, my carefree 20s, just a couple of years, er .. four years ago, oh all right, seven years ago), might say, “why dear Melanie, of course you’re adventurous. Didn’t you travel all over Europe by yourself several times?” “Why yes,” I’d reply, “but I didn’t jump off that bridge in Prague into the river like my new youth hostel buddies. I didn’t rent a scooter to cruise the Italian countryside. I was nervous during my canal tour in Amsterdam.”
I’m cautious. I’m organized. I’m deliberate. I like my life to be orderly and planned. This does not make for a spontaneous person. And while I’m fine with that, it also hinders adventure. So, with deliberate spontaneity, I plan to spend the next year pushing myself beyond my comfort zone, trying new things that I haven’t dreamed of before, taking that extra leap into the unknown. The challenge is to do at least one new adventure each month, leading up to the penultimate adventure at the end of 12 months: kayaking. While kayaking may not seem that adventurous to some, I’m deathly afraid of putting myself into that “plastic coffin” (as my sensitive husband calls it) and of being in open water, let alone trying to learn how to do a “roll” in the kayak — is it an omen that I keep thinking of this safety technique as the “death roll,” mistaking it with the move alligators/crocodiles use to drown their prey?
So, by Labor Day weekend 2010, I may not be base jumping every weekend, nor walking across a tightrope without a net, but perhaps I’ll stretch my limits a bit. Maybe I’ll go whitewater rafting and even like it. Or, maybe I’ll stay up on a snowboard long enough to feel the thrill of zooming down a mountain. Maybe I’ll jump out of an airplane. (OK, let’s not get crazy here.) Stay tuned …
Posted by Angela Cooper on September 5, 2009 at 9:42 pm
I think it’s refreshing to have a litte adventure! About four years ago in Hawaii Tyler and I took surfing lessons. Not only was the experience awesome, but it was exhilerating to try something that I normally would not dream of doing. I look forward to hearing about your new adventures!!!
Posted by Sheva on September 6, 2009 at 9:26 am
Will you go whitewater rafting with me when we go camping in October, Melanie? I’m too scared to go kayaking in the coffin too. I’m glad I’m too old to care….
Posted by Yolanda on September 6, 2009 at 10:59 am
We must be twins. I like order too. Maybe some of your adventures over the coming year will inspire me. I look forward to reading your posts.
Posted by melaniepowers on September 6, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Angel, surf lessons sound great! I’m such a wimp about water. Funny, because if you remember correctly, I spent day after day in the summer as a kid at the town pool. But I hate getting water in my nose and am fearful of open water and creepy crawly, swimmy things under water. Sheva, if they’re still letting people raft in October, I’m in! Yolanda, I knew there was a reason I always liked you!