How To Be An Explorer Of The World:
Always Be Looking. (Notice The Ground Beneath Your Feet.)
Consider Everything Alive & Animate.
EVERYTHING Is Interesting. Look closer.
Alter Your Course Often.
Notice The Stories Going On Around You.
~ Keri Smith
42 Days Of Yes
Day 8: Geocache (a.k.a. Become An Explorer)
Today my sons and I said YES to geocaching for the first time. I wasn’t 100% familiar with this myself, so here’s the in-a-nutshell version: People have hidden thousands of “treasures” around the world and, using a GPS and the coordinates posted on a website, you can find these secret gems and sign your name to the long list of seekers who have come before you. It’s fun, challenging, and a great way to become an explorer in your own town or somewhere new.
Talk about fun! We walked through streams and we (okay, they) climbed trees in search of these hidden items. I couldn’t help but think of all the times we had walked by these areas in the past, never knowing “treasures” were there; then when we discovered them, to find pages and pages of names of those who came before us! It was like seeing with new eyes – a completely different perspective.
Aside from its entertainment factor, this activity shed new light on the awesomeness that surrounds us. To think that people take the time to create decorative weatherproof containers, find excellent hiding places in nature, cleverly title their spots (we knew we had to find the one with the Monty Python reference: “Find…A SHRUBBERY!”), and log them into the site – all to feed others’ sense of adventure.
I almost didn’t say YES to this today. It was raining, we had a lot to do, blah blah blah. It’s so easy to come up with a thousand excuses not to do something, isn’t it? But sometimes all we need is one compelling reason to say YES – and then actually say it. I so enjoyed watching my boys take the lead and all of us feeling that “thrill of the hunt.” And I am reminded how when we have a clear goal (in this case, the geocache treasure), we can take various paths to reach it, enjoy the scenery and camaraderie along the way, and still stay purposefully focused toward our destination.
Like J.R.R. Tolkien wrote, “Not all those who wander are lost.”
To what did you say YES today? Share your experience below, on Facebook, or via Twitter! And click here to join us at Spark for clarity, courage, and bold leadership!
To learn more about geocaching, you can start with this website. Apps are available on iTunes as well.
Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As a Certified Executive and Leadership Coach and the President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches executives and leaders who need to get unstuck – whether in your leadership ability, income level, or from spinning your wheels in the day-to-day. Christi helps you flourish towards your purposeful vision with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.
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