Maybe, it’s possible…

Maybe it’s possible to be grateful for where you are while also being kind to your wandering heart, too.

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As we journey through life, there will be moments when there’s this sense of longing and nostalgia for past experiences and adventures. We reminisce about those times when we felt alive, free, and uninhibited by the monotony of our routines. The memories fuel our desire for new adventures, but the responsibilities and obligations that tie us to our current routines keep us from taking that leap.

We might recognize that adventure and spontaneity can come with risks and uncertainties that can be overwhelming. But we can't shake the feeling that life has become too predictable and lacking in spontaneity.

This might look like…

-Waking up at the same time every day, following the same morning routine

-Going to work and performing the same tasks day in and day out

-Participating in the same conversations with the same people

-Having a set schedule or routine that feels like it's on autopilot

-Feeling limited in opportunities for spontaneity or experimentation

-Experiencing a lack of excitement or anticipation for upcoming events or activities

-Not feeling challenged or stimulated by daily life

It can be a constant inner struggle to balance the need for stability with the desire for adventure, and we may question if it's even possible to find excitement and novelty in everyday life.

In moments of boredom or monotony, we may seek out ways to break free from the rut of our routines. However, in those moments may we remember that it is possible to be grateful for what we have and still long for something more. We are allowed to acknowledge what stability has given us while also recognizing that it’s okay to have a heart that is faced toward the horizon, imagining what could be. Even if what you imagine comes in glimpses, may you know it’s okay to cultivate your imagination and dreams.

We’ve all heard about how important it is to be grateful for where we are. And of course, there is much value in this. Any flower you’ve ever admired or piece of fruit that has graced your lips benefited from someone tending to it, rooted and grounded, right where it was.

And at the same time, in that same field where the flower grew, the wind blows and continues to find you over and over again. Even when you have a full awareness of the soil beneath your feet and the way that the sunlight makes it way through the trees, sometimes, there’s something in you that just wanted to explore beyond what you’ve known.

I cannot tell you where the journey will take you, but I can tell you this: it’s okay to let your hear beat toward the horizon. It’s okay to wonder what lies beyond the trees even as you nurture what’s beneath them. You don’t have to choose to between dreaming and gratitude.

Perhaps, this leads to the question: “But what about the person who is obsessed with going away and leaving? What about the people who just forget everyone else and move on?”

To this, I say we can all probably think of situations where we can think of the unhealthy, extreme versions of this. It can be painful and damage relationships in ways that have ripple effects for years, and those who are impacted by that shouldn’t be forgotten.

And at the same time, outside of the unhealthy, extreme scenarios, there’s the other extreme that we might find ourselves in…the fear of even letting ourselves dream.

So how do you tell the difference?

Create more space to reflect on what you feel the way you do. There are so many different feelings that you could have that make you desire something more, and there are also many reasons why you may have those feelings.

And whether you’re feeling like you’re disconnected in some way or, you’re not exploring enough, it’s not too late to reflect on it and talk about it. It’s not too late to explore what it means to look forward without dismissing yourself completely.

Perhaps, it’s never easy to make sense of why our heart has begun to race in the present moment. But maybe, in those moments after, we don’t have to jump to one extreme or the other. We are allowed to…

-Dream and imagine what could be while also being grounded in the present

-Hold onto our aspirations while also pacing ourselves through what we are feeling

-Exploring new possibilities and adventures and inviting others to join us on the journey

Ultimately, life is a dynamic and constantly evolving journey, full of unpredictable twists and turns. Despite our best efforts to plan and prepare for the future, we cannot predict with absolute certainty what lies ahead. However, amidst the uncertainty and unpredictability of life, there is also the potential for unexpected opportunities for excitement, growth, and adventure So let us carry on through each day at a measured pace, and be gentle with ourselves, extending grace to our wandering hearts.