Your Journey & Evaluating It

Wednesday Wander
7/13/2016

Update: For those who read Quintessential Voyage regularly, you will notice this is not set as the usual "Wednesday Word." In fact, it's been changed to the "Wednesday Wander." Under this new category those dual-definitions of common words will still make an appearance, however, the topics will be more fluid in regards to defining our journey through life, not just the words we use during it.

Your Journey & Evaluating It

As we go through life, typically there is some sort of definition of success you have in mind for everything you do. Through that success, you then have to evaluate what you've earned. Success and progress, both, don't come without taking risks. Most people in our society have a concern or a reluctance to take that leap of faith. 

You've seen this leap of faith, or the risky decision, immortalized in so many movies, television shows, and books throughout your life. Often portrayed as asking the popular girl out, going onto a new job, investing into something, and a million other possibilities. It's all about how you go about it. The leap of faith is not really up for decision for those you seek for counsel, nor is it their place to point out hazards or risks of such a decision. 

Possibly the riskiest thing about this journey, there is no map. The only guidance is a compass which measures the direction using three factors, your heart, your soul, and your mind. These three thins should help you along the way. Continuously on this path-forging quest, you must be willing to pause briefly and look back on where you came from and also be able to look far ahead of you to anticipate what may cross your path or stand in your way.

Unforeseen challenges and opportunities are a danger of life. Of course, depending on how you view these things, the word used to describe them changes, it's on you to shift the perception because it is you who will tell your own story. Choose wisely and look to make your journey a model for others and a lesson for some. 

Keep it Sunny

Tuesday Take
7/12/2016

"Always keep your face toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you."
- Walt Whitman -

Whitman's quote about being outside and in nature is a breath of fresh air (or at least it encourages those of us to go get one). His brief, one-sentence quote speaks so much more beyond enjoying sunshine and the world of nature, but it's always good to encourage life in the outdoors. 

Reflecting back on Monday's Post about Drawing Energy from those around you. This plays right in-line with that post... Who you are around, whichever energy you embrace becomes the energy your project onto the world around you. Your world is a circle of energy... Whatever energy you put out, mimics the energy that you get back. Some people may call that Karma, it's not necessarily Karma it's  just the way life works. 

Go towards the sunshine, embrace the warmth. Be the animal that uses photosynthesis to energize their progression. Be that sunshine for others, it repays quite handsomely.

Drawing Energy

Monday Mountain
7/11/2016

Drawing Energy: Collecting from your Companions

Who you surround yourself with is a reflection of who you are. As they choose to have you around, it's a reflection of them.If you think about it, it could be like a series of mirrors. Now you're thinking of how this all relates... Well consider the energy that can be bounced back and forth between them all. The more this energy bounces between the mirrors, it becomes magnified over time. So as you are around negative energy it compounds to become darker and stronger, same goes for positive energy. 

Opposites don't attract when it comes to companions and friends, people like those who emit similar energy. Those who wish to grow will seek out those whose energy fosters growth. Take a minute, think about the people you want to be around. It's okay, I'll be here.

Okay, are you good? What's your answer? 

Uh huh, interesting. Are you saying that to yourself because it's what you think it's the right answer? Is it what you actually do? What are the type of people you actually surround yourself with?

You may want to reimagine who you are, who you want to be and what you want to do with your life if you evaluate this lack of positive energy in your group of friends. If you're okay with having crappy results and moderate victories, then you can keep your crappy friends and less than average companions. I suggest to you, since you read this blog, that you find those who desire success, crave happiness, and pursue wonderful things in their own lives, in order to enable you to find this on your own. 

Independence: Being American

Monday Mountain
4th of July, 2016

Before we begin, take a minute to reflect on your definition of what it is to be an American. Time yourself to ponder this for actually two minutes.

There's a majority of America who define the American Life as it is represented in the Declaration of Independence, which is a great starting point. In truth, it holds very little weight in how our government functions and makes decisions. You should, however, shape your journey based on those three objectives.

1. Life
2. Liberty
3. Pursuit of Happiness

Life - As an American, this means living life, not just living and breathing. This means having wild adventures, exciting stories, and moments that can provoke a variety of emotions that one may compare to a box of chocolates. I can agree with Mama Gump, you never know what you're going to get. Chase after events and moments that can cause your heart rhythm to become irregular for a brief moment of time or cause you to develop a temporary loss of breath. Life is a gift, but do not waste it, use all of it. 

Liberty - Pertaining to our freedoms, there is a limit on these as we cannot encroach on the freedoms or happiness of others. What we have for ourselves is the ability to speak what's on our minds, own and use firearms, and so on. Flex these freedoms and share them with your friends. There are fellow Americans who willingly go overseas to fight and defend those freedoms you may take for granted.

Pursuit of Happiness - Go forth and be happy. It's that simple. Be happy with yourself, with your friends, with your family, with your adventures, with your food, with your health, etc. Be happy, you can do whatever you like so long as it does not hurt anyone else's chances of being happy. Encourage others to be happy too, it's the best infection one could get. 

With this American Historically-based Holiday, go out there and blow something up, eat some dead animal (or vegetables shaped like meat-products), drink in some sunshine (and alcohol too, if you're of age), and finally be an American. Even if you're not an American every single day of the year, on the 4th of July everyone is an American. FREE AS HECK!