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

For the past several months, I've had the opportunity to coordinate and facilitate meetings with a wide variety of players (and perspectives) in the room. One of the most fascinating aspects (to me) has been sorting through the hidden and not-so-hidden histories of the community these players represent, the needs of their agencies and organizations, and the individuals involved. As with any diverse group of people, even when folks agreed on the problems at hand or on the long-term goals, they didn't always agree on the best way to reach a positive outcome.

One of the things that struck me during these meetings was the need for people engaged in social change to have a certain level of tolerance for conflict and discomfort -- including myself. While extensive travel and the occasional life challenge have taught me valuable skills in this arena, it's not something I have to deal with on a regular basis. Like many people, I spend much of my daily personal life interacting with people whose goals are either closely aligned with my own -- or none of us is so invested in an outcome that we care to fight for it. Not very good training for activism (or for travel, for that matter -- or frustration in general)!

I noticed during meetings that most people who have to work together long-term have a tendency to "make nice" during a session (rather than stating exactly what we need and then together breaking this down into workable components). And then, afterward, we complain to people we trust (usually people who share our views) that our needs weren't represented at the table. Which means that, for instance, when conflict does arise, we may flare up and vehemently defend our positions -- regardless of whether we're actually being "attacked."

This month, work on taking a stand and stating your views -- and in exchange, make an extra effort to listen to people and help them extract whatever it is they're not putting forth, but really want or believe. Ask the tough questions -- the ones that may require a little sorting out before a "nice" conclusion is reached. Stir up a little conflict, experiment with what works and what doesn't, put out a problem and ask how people think they can contribute to solving it.

Travel Corner: The 100 Friends Project -- How You and Your Friends Can Change the World

If you've ever wondered what you could do to make your next vacation a bit more meaningful, look no further. In 1990, teacher and humanitarian Marc Gold stumbled across the answer.

While in India for the first time, he met a Tibetan woman in the Himalayas who had a "terrible ear infection." For less than $35 ($2 for the doctor visit, $1 for the antibiotics to stop the raging infection that would probably have killed her, and $30 for a hearing aid), he changed her life. Her family could never have afforded any of it, but Marc barely missed the money.

Such are the disparities we, as western travelers, face in many countries we visit around the world. The difference is, Marc, founder of The 100 Friends Project, decided to do something about it...

Read the complete article -- along with tips from Marc for following in his footsteps -- on my web site. (And keep an eye out for my "Signs of Hope" article on Marc in the May/June issue of Hope Magazine.)

Books (and a Magazine) to Inspire Adventure

Looking for Lovedu: A Woman’s Journey Across Africa
by Ann Jones
Written with a comic style and insightful social commentary, Looking for Lovedu delivers the well-told tale of a woman and her hardy and boisterous male companion making their way (not always in agreement as to what, exactly, that way should be) across Africa on a mission to meet the Queen of Lovedu.

Somebody’s Heart is Burning: A Woman Wanderer in Africa
by Tanya Shaffer
Collection of personal essays based on a year Shaffer spent traveling in West and East Africa. Using her volunteer excursion to Ghana as a loose framework, Shaffer's insightful stories focus on encounters with people she meets along the way.

Four Corners: One Woman’s Solo Journey into the Heart of Papua New Guinea
by Kira Salak
Adventure saga by a young woman driven to travel solo less by desire than by necessity (no one she meets seems able to keep up with her relentless drive to prove to herself—and everyone else—she can do it). This exquisitely written account traces Salak’s journey through Papua New Guinea, and her adventures along the way.

Hope Magazine
An inspiring (and inspired) magazine, filled with good writing and excellent stories, this "solutions-oriented journal [focuses] on people addressing personal and societal challenges with uncommon courage and integrity... an ever-expanding handbook of examples for people who want to make the world a better place, and for people trying to find their place in the world. Individuals and organizations everywhere are at work improving the world, but most media ignore them. Hope's purpose is to honor these efforts, reminding us of values worth protecting, traditions worth preserving, and futures worth improving."

Stumbled across any books you've found particularly inspiring lately? Movies? Magazines? Web sites? Share the inspiration! Drop me a line with your recommendations, and I'll pass them along to other readers.


	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: The Power of Conflict Top 5 Ideas to Inspire You This Month Travel Corner: The 100 Friends Project -- How You and Your Friends Can Change the World Books (and One Magazine) to Inspire Adventure Everyday Adventures
The Power of Conflict For the past several months, I've had the opportunity to coordinate and facilitate meetings with a wide variety of players (and perspectives) in the room. One of the most fascinating aspects (to me) has been sorting through the hidden and not-so-hidden histories of the community these players represent, the needs of their agencies and organizations, and the individuals involved. As with any diverse group of people, even when folks agreed on the problems at hand or on the long-term goals, they didn't always agree on the best way to reach a positive outcome. One of the things that struck me during these meetings was the need for people engaged in social change to have a certain level of tolerance for conflict and discomfort -- including myself. While extensive travel and the occasional life challenge have taught me valuable skills in this arena, it's not something I have to deal with on a regular basis. Like many people, I spend much of my daily personal life interacting with people whose goals are either closely aligned with my own -- or none of us is so invested in an outcome that we care to fight for it. Not very good training for activism (or for travel, for that matter -- or frustration in general)! I noticed during meetings that most people who have to work together long-term have a tendency to "make nice" during a session (rather than stating exactly what we need and then together breaking this down into workable components). And then, afterward, we complain to people we trust (usually people who share our views) that our needs weren't represented at the table. Which means that, for instance, when conflict does arise, we may flare up and vehemently defend our positions -- regardless of whether we're actually being "attacked." This month, work on taking a stand and stating your views -- and in exchange, make an extra effort to listen to people and help them extract whatever it is they're not putting forth, but really want or believe. Ask the tough questions -- the ones that may require a little sorting out before a "nice" conclusion is reached. Stir up a little conflict, experiment with what works and what doesn't, put out a problem and ask how people think they can contribute to solving it. Travel Corner: The 100 Friends Project -- How You and Your Friends Can Change the World If you've ever wondered what you could do to make your next vacation a bit more meaningful, look no further. In 1990, teacher and humanitarian Marc Gold stumbled across the answer. While in India for the first time, he met a Tibetan woman in the Himalayas who had a "terrible ear infection." For less than $35 ($2 for the doctor visit, $1 for the antibiotics to stop the raging infection that would probably have killed her, and $30 for a hearing aid), he changed her life. Her family could never have afforded any of it, but Marc barely missed the money. Such are the disparities we, as western travelers, face in many countries we visit around the world. The difference is, Marc, founder of The 100 Friends Project, decided to do something about it... Read the complete article -- along with tips from Marc for following in his footsteps -- on my web site. (And keep an eye out for my "Signs of Hope" article on Marc in the May/June issue of Hope Magazine.) Books (and a Magazine) to Inspire Adventure Looking for Lovedu: A Woman’s Journey Across Africa by Ann Jones Written with a comic style and insightful social commentary, Looking for Lovedu delivers the well-told tale of a woman and her hardy and boisterous male companion making their way (not always in agreement as to what, exactly, that way should be) across Africa on a mission to meet the Queen of Lovedu. Somebody’s Heart is Burning: A Woman Wanderer in Africa by Tanya Shaffer Collection of personal essays based on a year Shaffer spent traveling in West and East Africa. Using her volunteer excursion to Ghana as a loose framework, Shaffer's insightful stories focus on encounters with people she meets along the way. Four Corners: One Woman’s Solo Journey into the Heart of Papua New Guinea by Kira Salak Adventure saga by a young woman driven to travel solo less by desire than by necessity (no one she meets seems able to keep up with her relentless drive to prove to herself—and everyone else—she can do it). This exquisitely written account traces Salak’s journey through Papua New Guinea, and her adventures along the way. Hope Magazine An inspiring (and inspired) magazine, filled with good writing and excellent stories, this "solutions-oriented journal [focuses] on people addressing personal and societal challenges with uncommon courage and integrity... an ever-expanding handbook of examples for people who want to make the world a better place, and for people trying to find their place in the world. Individuals and organizations everywhere are at work improving the world, but most media ignore them. Hope's purpose is to honor these efforts, reminding us of values worth protecting, traditions worth preserving, and futures worth improving." Stumbled across any books you've found particularly inspiring lately? Movies? Magazines? Web sites? Share the inspiration! Drop me a line with your recommendations, and I'll pass them along to other readers.				"Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar. (There is no path. The path is made by walking.)" - Antonio Machado
				Top 5 Ideas to Inspire You This Month Start a food fight Invite your friends for a brainstorming session to share ideas for your next great adventures Learn to dog sled Spend an entire afternoon browsing through the shelves of your local library Take a woodworking class and build something special for yourself or your favorite person
				"Death is only one of many ways to lose your life." - Alvah Simon North to the Night: A Year in the Arctic Ice
				Everyday Adventures #83 Offer assistance when you see someone stuck on the side of the road. You'll make new friends and genuinely provide much-needed support. 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.


		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