What Does Adventure Mean To You?

 photos: Lex Weinstein, Seewah Russo, Carly Brown

The opportunity of a wide open road. Freedom to howl at the moon.  The limitlessness of diving head first into a sea of possibilities. Getting lost in order to better find your Self.  Adventure begins when you stop knowing and start feeling.

A few months ago I made one of the riskiest decisions of my life – I quit my full time job, sold all my belongings, and flew halfway around the world in search of waves and watery wonderment. Whether it's immersing myself in the savory cuisine and close family structure of the Tahitians, or participating in traditional ceremonies and offerings with the locals I met in Bali, I thrive in learning the sacredness of different cultures. Nature is central to this through its delivery of awe and insight that human interaction cannot always achieve. Surfing and hiking alone always leave me with a radiating sense of oneness with the Earth I’m exploring. It is important for me not only to connect with the history of the people, but also the land from which their lives have been sustained.

Camping on old Chumash territory in the canyons of California, I participated in a traditional exercise where we walked blindfolded and barefoot through the forest toward the sound of a beating drum. An initial impulse of fear shook me to my core. But, when able to find calm, I discovered a true North that led me carefully down a clear path. Obstacles arose, but when approached with patience and confidence I was able to maneuver around them quite effortlessly. When put in situations where we can't plan or control every last detail, we are forced to trust our instincts and learn more about ourselves in the process. This beautiful awakening of self discovery is a perfect example of how adventure gives us the opportunity to take reign over the unexpected while surrendering to the abundance and experience it has in store for us. 

 Having the courage to explore foreign lands, deepen my connection to nature, and pause long enough to take it all in -- that is what true adventure means to me.