I live a big life. A happy life. A life full of adventure.
My days are often filled with working a typical marketing job, walking the dog, cooking dinner, scrolling Instagram, and perusing Netflix. I work out at the gym and I swim and I go for runs. I drink my morning coffee every day, I eat too much chocolate, and I have a glass of wine almost every night. Sometimes I go out to happy hour or attend a networking event.
But I also have a fierce passion for adventure and learning. I try new things and have new experiences. I’ve crossed items off my bucket list.
I’ve been skydiving, bungee jumping, skiing, white water rafting, zip-lining, parasailing, hiking, and swimming in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
I’ve been to Greece and explored ancient ruins. I boated around the Aegean Sea. I hiked from one end of Santorini to the other and cliff jumped into crystal blue water. I walked on black beaches of volcanic rock and watched the sun set over white washed cities.
I’ve climbed mountains and seen my reflection in the alpine lakes of Utah. I’ve drank beer during Salt Lake City’s Oktoberfest at 12,000 feet. I walked across the Purple People Bridge from Ohio to Kentucky. And drank beer during the Cincinnati Oktoberfest.
I’ve gambled and partied in Las Vegas. I’ve seen the magic of Disney World and the majesty of Niagara Falls (the Canadian side, of course). I’ve been on brewery tours and winery tours, and whiskey distillery tours.
I’ve swam with dolphins and sea lions and sting rays and sharks. I’ve run a 10 mile race. I’ve been white water rafting. I’ve been snorkeling and stand up paddle boarding and sort-of-surfing. I’ve been caving in pitch darkness and I’ve been to a nude beach.
I’ve been to museums and concerts and musicals and the symphony. I’ve been to football games and hockey games and baseball games. I’ve ridden a dirt bike and taken a photography class. I’ve fed a rhino and ridden a camel.
I’ve gotten married and bought a house and adopted a retired racing greyhound. I’ve been in weddings and attended funerals. I’ve volunteered with elderly and with youth. I’ve raised money for causes I believe in. I’ve voted.
I’ve traveled. Oh, how I’ve traveled. To the red rocks of Arizona and the mountains of Utah. To the bright lights of Las Vegas and the brighter lights of New York City. To Canada and Portland, Oregon and Philadelphia. To several cities in Florida. To Corpus Christi, Texas and Denver, Colorado. I’ve wandered around Kansas City, Missouri and hiked around Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I’ve been all over Virginia and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Cincinnati, Ohio, and Saratoga Springs, New York. I’ve been to Hershey, PA and Charlotte, North Carolina and Cleveland, Ohio, and Nashville, Tennessee, and Chicago, Illinois. I spent my first nights out of the country in Germany, I honeymooned in Punta Cana, and I celebrated a year of marriage in Greece.
I live an adventurous, wonderful life. I say all this to remind myself to be grateful. Sometimes it’s difficult to see the forest for the trees. Some days are long and tedious. Some days are the same as the day before. Some winters, like this one, seem endlessly wet and dreary. But to live life is to live all of it – all of these big, beautiful wondrous adventures, but also the small, precious, daily moments that all twine together.
I write this today to also remind myself that our life experiences make us who we are. Our adventures shape us. I have become the person I am because I’ve done some pretty incredible things. I don’t take anything for granted.
So I challenge you today to take a moment and think about all the things you’ve done, all the things you’ve experienced that make you who you are. You may be surprised to realize what an amazing, fabulous, incredible life you lead. Remember, every day, to be grateful for it.