Give yourself the gift of adventure

Tea Time while Frisbee Golfing in the pouring down rain!

Rainy, windy days are commonplace in my new Oregonian home… and far from MOTIVATING.  After spending a considerable amount of time outdoors in southern California over the past 10 years, I now find myself clambering for reasons to stay inside with a cup of tea.  What happened?  Is 40 degree, horizontal rain really that intimidating?

Although I’d love to tell you yes and go on at length about the epic weather, the TRUTH is it has a lot more to do with the allure of a quiet, safe harbor.  As human beings, we are genetically designed to seek this state of homeostasis and, despite the fact that it produces far fewer heroic tales, it is our constant draw. 

So does that mean I’m destined to spend the next 6 months trapped inside, down river from “Cape Disappointment” and “Dismal Nitch”?  (Not kidding those are actual names on the map!)  Far from it!  The good news is although our bodies and minds are constantly working to keep things stable, they are also uniquely designed to FLOW WITH CHANGE and adapt in the face of adversity.

And this is where the GIFT OF ADVENTURE comes into the picture.  By definition this implies risking, leaving the safe harbor and leaning into the limitations we’ve carefully constructed around our status quo.  It will seem crazy at first, but quickly followed by exhilaration, freedom and dare we say that 3-letter, F-word… FUN!

Go for a hike (even in the rain!), take a new class, skip, strike up a conversation with a stranger, come snowshoeing with us in Colorado, get some friends together and order something crazy off a menu in a restaurant you’ve never been to before… the possibilities are endless!  Adventure is a WAY OF BEING, easily infused into every area of your life.  It is a VITAL breath of fresh air that will inspire you to grow, laugh and appreciate being alive.  Shake it up, resist the attachment to what you already know, enjoy all of the energy and enthusiasm this creates… and then share it!  We can’t wait to hear… how are you going to enjoy this ‘ONE WILD AND PRECIOUS LIFE’ today?

To watch new videos from our recent adventures or learn more about retreats happening this winter, visit us at www.seektruenorth.com.

Shifting Gears...

Life from another angle...

I spent this past weekend in an epic, outdoor paradise… Bend, Oregon.  All of the stars were aligned for me to JOYFULLY ENGAGE in the adventure of my life, but despite that incredible pull, I found myself flailing… hesitating and ultimately taking a wicked beating from my bike as it hurled through the air off a gnarly root mid-trail. 

“What happened?” my endearing husband asked from around the boulder up ahead.  Had something malfunctioned with my gear, had I lost my way through a technical section of rocky downhill?  Nope… I HESITATED…. I let the fear of “what could be”, rise up and overtake the reality of “what actually is” (a classic derailer) and I was paying for it big time. 

In mountain biking, as with many things in life, there is little room for paralyzing self-doubt and fearful, hesitant action.  Well, to be clear, there is plenty of opportunity for that… but the feedback from the universe is almost always the same… a painful prompt that the ride COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT MORE FUN!  It’s nothing personal, just a reminder of other options and ways of experiencing life. 

Pick your line and breathe as you go for it 100%; relax, sit back in the saddle and stay flexible as you cruise over the bumps; anticipate adversity and SHIFT GEARS to better support yourself in successfully riding to the top… these are just a few of the things I’ve learned from my inner rider over the years.

In that moment, with hurt pride and temporarily dampened spirits, I HAD A CHOICE; quit and resign to the fact that it’s just not my thing, or ride on (albeit a little slower) and take this opportunity to learn from the deeper wisdom this situation has presented to me.  See for me, this hesitation isn’t just showing up on the trail.  Part of my own journey is honing the skill of being able to TRUST THE PROCESS and go for it even when I’m scared, and thankfully today, I made the choice to keep practicing.  How about you?  Join the conversation and share the LESSONS that keep you getting back on the bike (or board or wall, etc.) time and time again.  

Speaking of hesitation... we still have a couple more spots open on our upcoming retreats.  Give yourself the gift of adventure and contact me today! 

Tapping in...

Have you connected with your inner wise woman (man) today? I often observe myself and other Divine beings all over the planet unconsciously living from the tumultuous space of “I don’t know”… riddled with fear and self-doubt, paralyzed while constantly looking outside for elusive answers that promise to provide a momentary reprieve.  It’s funny when you take a minute to step back and consider what is really happening… it’s like we’ve all bought into this big misunderstanding that we just need to learn more and then it’ll be ok… putting off living fully in this moment for another day out there in the future when we’ll finally “get it”. 

What if that day was already here? What if we had all of the inner resources we need to effectively respond to whatever situation we find ourselves in?  What if, instead of needing to find this teacher outside of ourselves, we took a moment to listen to and live from the wisdom that resides within us? It is a radical experiment that seems to buck the status quo in many ways but think of the incredible impact this could have on our lives and our planet. 

When we awaken to the wisdom of our hearts we radiate this light in all aspects of our life, and simultaneously invite others to do so as well.  We live joyfully from this place of knowing that supports us in fulfilling our unique purpose and share our gifts in a way that is truly in service to the highest good of all beings.  It isn’t something we need to “figure out” but rather something we can attune to… and courageously live from.  Have you tapped into this wellspring today?  Have you acknowledged this light in yourself and those wise beings all around you?

We’re taking the opportunity to celebrate and cultivate this “knowing” at the Wise Women Gathering in Ojai next month and would love for you to join us.  In the meantime, we invite you to take a few quiet moments right now to connect… for your own joy and well-being, and for the limitless possibility this small action could ripple into the world around you. 


Click here to find out more about our awesome retreats this fall!

Playing on the Edge – Psychotic Rush or Joyful, Spiritual Adventure?

"Bliss Dancer" By: Melissa Mitschele

I’ve spent a lot of time recently reflecting on the challenges that have come up for me while starting my own business, True North Adventures.  At the moment, the one jumping up and down for my attention is the choice to accept the INVITATION to stretch out beyond my own perceived limitations and fully engage in the adventure of my life.  The concept itself sounds like a great idea, doesn’t it?  To be daring and courageous and FULLY ALIVE?  But what would I do once I actually got out there… out to the edge of all that I’ve known and felt comfortable doing before? 

I will be the first to acknowledge that engaging in life in this way does not always end up working out according to my “masterful plan.”  As I tip-toe my way out there and start to move a bit, I often find myself awkwardly attempting to hold onto old ideas or lingering doubts about what is possible for me.  It is challenging to be out there ON THE EDGE, letting go of one version of reality without allowing myself to fully jump into the next.

But then, it happens, I STEP OFF the edge of that old story and allow myself to gracefully EMBRACE the adventure before me, and WOW… talk about a radically different way to experience life!  Even though I’ve stepped out into new territory and am unsure of what the outcome will be, I’m alive and dancing; JOYFULLY FLOWING with a magical beat that is not mine to control or keep but rather to accept as an invitation to be fully present to the gift of this very precious moment. 

COME OUT AND PLAY ON YOUR EDGE… feel the wild wind in your hair and reconnect with that wise and radiant knowing that comes forward to shine when given the opportunity to break free of self-imposed limitations.   Whether it’s on the wall with me in Joshua Tree next month, or in other big or small ways… the opportunity is calling us forward.  
Are you willing to play?


Click here for more info about Upcoming Retreats with True North Adventures

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