Adventurous Life Newsletter - Inviting You to Find Inspiration in Odd Corners (March/April 2004)

It's winter in my part of the world. Shorter daylight hours make life seem more compacted than usual when it comes to getting things done -- especially if they involve going outside. To make matters worse, my usual wooded running trails are now thigh deep with snow.

I'm finding that when life gets busy, filled with meetings and goals and daily "to do" items, it's even more imperative to decompress in ways that make an impact, not just aerobically, but mentally. For me, all summer and fall, it was running -- not just running itself, but running in the woods, surrounded by trees and sunlight and random wildlife. For a colleague of mine, it's karate class -- yoga and weekend backwoods skiing expeditions can't replace the meditative "zone" he gets from this particular activity. But days are short, and he's been too busy lately to make it to class.

I'm noticing that lots of people around me forget to take care of themselves. Even folks who agree this "should" be a priority find their schedules permeated by external demands. I've also noticed that when I'm struggling to take care of myself, it's always a little easier when someone nearby declares she's off to do exactly that.

What does one do to get through times like this? Me, I've switched to cross-country skiing. I could have tried road running, but I knew that the woods were a key part of helping me rebalance my perspective while exercising my body. Whatever else is happening, every day, I carve out time to make this happen. My colleague, he's reprioritizing -- refusing to schedule meetings that might run over and keep him from karate class.

If you're struggling to keep perspective and preserve your decompression time (whatever form it takes), take heart -- you're not alone. Whether your decompression time is karate class, hiking in the woods, or a long, hot soak in the tub, it's an important part of a healthy life.

This month, make it a point to tell people why you can't make that meeting time ("I'm making it a priority to go outside and exercise, and that's when I do it. How about we try X o'clock instead?"). In carving out a time for yourself and protecting it, you give the people around you permission to do the same.

Looking for something to curl up and read by a crackling fire? I invite you to discover a few of my latest articles (and thanks for indulging me in a little self-promotion):

Inward and Upward - PDF (Alpinist)
Follow the author up one of the hardest routes on the tallest volcano in the contiguous 48 states under less-than-ideal conditions. "Perhaps the best description of the inner experience of climbing I've read since Joe Simpson's 'Touching the Void,'" says one outdoor educator. (Speaking of Touching the Void, keep your eyes open for the movie -- coming soon to the U.S. -- I saw it in England when it was first released, and it's simply one of the best movies I've ever seen.)

Why Women Must Ice Climb - PDF (Adirondack Explorer)
A humorous insight into the author's search for the perfect winter sport and her introduction to the challenges and rewards of ice climbing.

Wedding Season in Cambodia (BootsnAll.com)
An invitation to a village wedding offers the author a chance to step off the tourist track -- further off the track than she expected! -- for an intimate view of local culture.

Feeling Stressed? Let's Redefine Success!

We're all bombarded with messages about what it takes to be "successful" in a modern, westernized world. It's no secret that women have it especially tough -- you've heard of the "superwoman" image? And what about all the men squeezed by the increasing pressures of their own changing roles?

I've lived and traveled in many other countries and cultures, and I have to admit that there's something about being back in the States "accomplishing things" that gets addictive. Life becomes a whirlwind. Before long, I start thinking I'm helpless to change it. "If only I could stop the world for two seconds, I could prioritize!" Sound familiar?

Wait a moment. It seems to me that a basic question must be asked -- what are our deepest priorities? Does a traditional industrialized model of "buckle down, focus on one thing, work hard, be successful" really work for people interested in living a more holistic, balanced, loving (and, in some cases, nomadic) life?

And the answer comes back, "Well sure, of course, for some it does."

But what about the rest of us? How many of you secretly harbor creative and "crazy" dreams? Ideas that don't seem to register on the "success" scales of the competitive, day-to-day world around you? Goals that no one else seems to take seriously? Projects that might never get noticed or make oodles of money or fit into any of the categories we normally associate with "success"?

Read the complete article on my web site.

Getting Crafty About Community Service

Looking for a way to give something back to your community -- and have fun while you're doing it? How about starting a craft project in your neighborhood? The PBS television show "Hands On Crafts" (also available via FamilyNet) has a great web site, chock full of inspiration for ways to turn your craft projects into cool community service ideas.

For instance, "a teen from Oregon...collected old, broken crayons at his school by putting collection boxes by the door. Then he took the crayons and melted them down. Using candy molds he made new crayons and boxed them up for a Head Start preschool." How fabulous is that? Recycling AND fun new crayons for creative minds!

And by the way, you don't have to be a kid to have fun with these great ideas! If you're shy about doing such things on your own, borrow a few neighborhood kids for a day as an excuse to make stuffed teddy bears for your local emergency room, or cheerfully decorated carriers for folks using walkers in a nearby nursing home.


		Welcome to this month's edition of Adventurous Life!
	I welcome your thoughts, feedback & suggestions for stories. Please don't hesitate to contact me or swing by www.judywolf.com to see what's new. Pass this newsletter along to a friend!			In this issue: Finding Time to Decompress Ice in New England and Weddings in Cambodia Top 5 Ideas to Inspire You This Month Feeling Stressed? Let's Redefine Success! Getting Crafty About Community Service Everyday Adventures Reader Recommendation
	Finding Time to Decompress It's winter in my part of the world. Shorter daylight hours make life seem more compacted than usual when it comes to getting things done -- especially if they involve going outside. To make matters worse, my usual wooded running trails are now thigh deep with snow. I'm finding that when life gets busy, filled with meetings and goals and daily "to do" items, it's even more imperative to decompress in ways that make an impact, not just aerobically, but mentally. For me, all summer and fall, it was running -- not just running itself, but running in the woods, surrounded by trees and sunlight and random wildlife. For a colleague of mine, it's karate class -- yoga and weekend backwoods skiing expeditions can't replace the meditative "zone" he gets from this particular activity. But days are short, and he's been too busy lately to make it to class. I'm noticing that lots of people around me forget to take care of themselves. Even folks who agree this "should" be a priority find their schedules permeated by external demands. I've also noticed that when I'm struggling to take care of myself, it's always a little easier when someone nearby declares she's off to do exactly that. What does one do to get through times like this? Me, I've switched to cross-country skiing. I could have tried road running, but I knew that the woods were a key part of helping me rebalance my perspective while exercising my body. Whatever else is happening, every day, I carve out time to make this happen. My colleague, he's reprioritizing -- refusing to schedule meetings that might run over and keep him from karate class. If you're struggling to keep perspective and preserve your decompression time (whatever form it takes), take heart -- you're not alone. Whether your decompression time is karate class, hiking in the woods, or a long, hot soak in the tub, it's an important part of a healthy life. This month, make it a point to tell people why you can't make that meeting time ("I'm making it a priority to go outside and exercise, and that's when I do it. How about we try X o'clock instead?"). In carving out a time for yourself and protecting it, you give the people around you permission to do the same. Ice in New England and Weddings in Cambodia Looking for something to curl up and read by a crackling fire? I invite you to discover a few of my latest articles (and thanks for indulging me in a little self-promotion): Inward and Upward - PDF (Alpinist) Follow the author up one of the hardest routes on the tallest volcano in the contiguous 48 states under less-than-ideal conditions. "Perhaps the best description of the inner experience of climbing I've read since Joe Simpson's 'Touching the Void,'" says one outdoor educator. (Speaking of Touching the Void, keep your eyes open for the movie -- coming soon to the U.S. -- I saw it in England when it was first released, and it's simply one of the best movies I've ever seen.) Why Women Must Ice Climb - PDF (Adirondack Explorer) A humorous insight into the author's search for the perfect winter sport and her introduction to the challenges and rewards of ice climbing. Wedding Season in Cambodia (BootsnAll.com) An invitation to a village wedding offers the author a chance to step off the tourist track -- further off the track than she expected! -- for an intimate view of local culture. Feeling Stressed? Let's Redefine Success! We're all bombarded with messages about what it takes to be "successful" in a modern, westernized world. It's no secret that women have it especially tough -- you've heard of the "superwoman" image? And what about all the men squeezed by the increasing pressures of their own changing roles? I've lived and traveled in many other countries and cultures, and I have to admit that there's something about being back in the States "accomplishing things" that gets addictive. Life becomes a whirlwind. Before long, I start thinking I'm helpless to change it. "If only I could stop the world for two seconds, I could prioritize!" Sound familiar? Wait a moment. It seems to me that a basic question must be asked -- what are our deepest priorities? Does a traditional industrialized model of "buckle down, focus on one thing, work hard, be successful" really work for people interested in living a more holistic, balanced, loving (and, in some cases, nomadic) life? And the answer comes back, "Well sure, of course, for some it does." But what about the rest of us? How many of you secretly harbor creative and "crazy" dreams? Ideas that don't seem to register on the "success" scales of the competitive, day-to-day world around you? Goals that no one else seems to take seriously? Projects that might never get noticed or make oodles of money or fit into any of the categories we normally associate with "success"? Read the complete article on my web site. Getting Crafty About Community Service Looking for a way to give something back to your community -- and have fun while you're doing it? How about starting a craft project in your neighborhood? The PBS television show "Hands On Crafts" (also available via FamilyNet) has a great web site, chock full of inspiration for ways to turn your craft projects into cool community service ideas. For instance, "a teen from Oregon...collected old, broken crayons at his school by putting collection boxes by the door. Then he took the crayons and melted them down. Using candy molds he made new crayons and boxed them up for a Head Start preschool." How fabulous is that? Recycling AND fun new crayons for creative minds! And by the way, you don't have to be a kid to have fun with these great ideas! If you're shy about doing such things on your own, borrow a few neighborhood kids for a day as an excuse to make stuffed teddy bears for your local emergency room, or cheerfully decorated carriers for folks using walkers in a nearby nursing home.				“Tell almost the whole story.” - Anne Sexton
					Top 5 Ideas to Inspire You This Month Take a writing workshop and publish everyone's stories or poems in a class chapbook Build an ice sculpture Take an impromptu flight to an island you've always wanted to visit -- for a weekend or a week(!) Invite your favorite friend(s) to rent a cabin in the woods with you for your next vacation Hold a taste test buffet where everyone has to bring a dish they've never made before -- better yet, hold a cooking party and make those new dishes together
					“The drop of rain maketh a hole in the stone, not by violence, but by oft falling.” - Hugh Latimer

					Everyday Adventures #398 Hold a tag sale every year to turn unused items into cash. Use the proceeds to make a difference in your community. Donate the money to a local charity. This everyday adventure is from "A New Adventure Every Day: 541 Simple Ways to Live with Pizzazz" by David Silberkleit, excerpted with the author's permission.
					Reader Recommendation CJ K. from Camano Island, WA recommends "My Driveway is a Mentor" by John Izzo -- a delightful article that explores what digging out from a big snowstorm can teach you about your life's purpose. Do you have articles, books, movies, or web sites you recommend? Let me know!

			About the author: Judy Wolf is a world traveler, freelance writer, speaker, and whitewater kayak instructor. She's taken numerous, extended solo journeys around the world, traveling by foot, bus, jeep, camel, truck, boat, train, plane, elephant, and bicycle to over 30 countries on five continents. She currently lives in upstate New York with her husband and border collie, where she's working on a book-length travel narrative about her most recent adventures…that is, when she's not plunging off waterfalls or entertaining the dog. Learn more at www.judywolf.com.

Please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone you feel might find it of interest. If you cut and paste content, please make sure you include all attribution, copyright, and contact information. Thanks! To subscribe to or unsubscribe from Adventurous Life, go to www.judywolf.com/newsletter To contact Judy Wolf: http://www.judywolf.com or e-mail now (or snail mail to 3786 Dawes Ave, Clinton NY 13323). Copyright © 2004 Judy Wolf