The Adventurer

My name by birth is Michelle.
But my name does not define who I am.
Over the years I’ve been called Michelle, Micha, Mish, Bug, Chelle, Shelly, Capitano, Cappuccino…. The list goes on and on.
But at the core, I am simply me.

I have always known that I am an adventurer.  Spontaneous and care-free at times.  But it wasn’t until I read a pillow in a Kitson store on Hollywood Blvd. a few years ago that I understood what it meant to be an adventurer.  To take risks; venture into the unknown.  It’s a scary thought, the unknown.  It takes you far from the comfort you are used to, but what I learned is that this is where life happens.  Joy, happiness, fulfillment.  Failure, disappointment, frustration.  These are all things that the adventurer finds on their journey.  But the lessons learned during those hard times are vital to the adventurer’s character.

If you couldn’t already tell, I love to write.  In November of 2012 I posted on my old Tumblr. blog about that Kitson pillow and how it affected my life in such a positive way.  Encouraged me to embrace the adventurer, the artist within.  This is that post:

“When was the last time you did something for the first time?”

I saw this question on a pillow and was so inspired by that question that I was tempted to purchase the very much overpriced item.  Luckily, I came to my senses and decided to write about it instead.

In the last few months, I have been tremendously motivated to do things I’ve never done before.  To see places I’ve never seen.  To meet new people.  To live life to its fullest!  To connect with people and places.  Before I saw the quote on that pillow, I had already taken to heart exactly what it meant.  Seeing it moved me to make a commitment.  To myself.  To life.  To living.

Last month (September 2012), I did a lot of things for the first time.
I took a 1,000 mile road trip.  Solo.
I saw the Grand Canyon.
I hiked 10+ miles of the Grand Canyon.
I camped by myself.
I saw Sedona.
I ate in a restaurant.  Solo.
I saw Prescott.
I drank vodka on Whiskey Row.
I stayed overnight at a commune.
I got a tattoo by an artist I didn’t know and/or had never heard of.
I was spontaneous.

This month I am doing another first.  I am running an obstacle course 5K mud run.  With zombies.  This is my “first” for the month of October 2012.  I run for my life tomorrow; both literally and figuratively.  I run with some of my favorite people and closest friends.  I run for fun.  Inspiration.  Friendship.  Commitment.  Change.  Life.

I’ve already mapped out my “first” for the month of November.  I’ll be seeing Seattle for the first time ever, and seeing dear friends for the first time in over ten years!  I am ecstatic about making this commitment.  I am elated at living life.

My commitment: For at least one year, I commit to doing something for the first time every month.  The next time someone asks, “When was the last time you did something for the first time?” let’s be able to give them an answer!

I stayed true to that commitment.  In 2013, I traveled to Yosemite for the first time.  It was incredibly breathtaking.  I saw more waterfalls than I can even recall, and was surrounded by such wonder that you could feel it in the air.

I took a lot of pictures while I was in Yosemite.  Hundreds.  But the below is my favorite.  Though it is bare, I call it “The Tree of Life.”   For this tree has lived.  It has weathered the storm.  It has gone through the fire.  And yet it remains.  Steadfast and strong. It is badass. It is an adventurer.