Our shell is ours, safe and familiar
But it is also the beginning and the end;
Our world, all we know, all we can
Until the day we choose to step away
Leave behind the safe and secure
Turn our back on the haves and known
Wade through forests of uncertainties
Sweat our way up mountains of unknown
And though we tire, we don’t retire
Until that moment we look and our eyes
Sparkle with the ecstasy of discovery
And in that twinkle of an eye, embrace
The irrefutable rewards of recovery.

Remember the introductory article last week (Cool Running I) where I shared about running around the same circle every day? Well, lately, I started venturing into new routes but believe me, old habits die hard. Although I’ll pause to observe these other routes veering into paths unknown, my adventures stayed as close to the familiar as possible – no, I don’t want to risk it, don’t want to bite more than I can chew, don’t want stray, don’t want to get hurt, don’t want to get lost. Our aspiration for adventure is constantly caged by our friendship with familiar, our apprehension for safety, and our stickler for convenience. And guess what? For as long as we are comfortable with the known, we will only know what we know – nothing more, nothing new.

What distinguishes me from a lot of people like me who are fanatics of familiar is that I was born with an overdose of curiosity so no matter how long I am known to stick with a style, change happens for me in an instant. This morning, I dared a new route I thought would lead to a path I had explored from the opposite end. But no, I emerged where I least expected. I could have turned back at that point to conform with my typical-self but no, my curios-side wanted to see the end of it, see how it all connects so I chose to keep going.

It was tough running uphill, on uneven and grassy path instead of the clear and smooth pavements I was used to. But I kept going, eyes fastened on jagged grounds lest I slip until the moment I looked up and lo, I was at the peak and the city luxuriously spread itself before my feasting eyes. Wow, it was an awesome view! A worthy reward for that “misadventure.” And then came the inspiration – this is life for every one of us. For as long as we stay with the convenient, the known, and the safe, life will remain what it was and is.

Nevertheless, the day we step away from all our cares and all we fear to lose, life recognizes that we are ready for change and paves the way. The day we step away from all we don’t know and can’t see in pursuit of the limitless possibilities out there, life opens amazing doors that dazzle who we once were and buoy who we are becoming. It may not go as smooth and easy as we are used to or hoped for. It might turn out a tough climb where we are constantly tempted to take the cheap and easy downhill ride back to comfort. Yet as we persist despite the sweat, we will look up one day and our lives will sparkle with the joy of discoveries and recoveries. Yes, life can be boring when all we have to live is the same again and again. And yes, adventure is risky and costly but the rewards make it worth every while and price. When was the last time you dared out of your routine?

Glory!