One of the things that has helped human beings develop over thousands of years of recorded and unrecorded history is the spirit of adventure. In the past many have risked their lives to explore the unknown – all the discoveries and inventions that we can think of. “We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open,” says, Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India.
The spirit of adventure has not stopped. Even today, we hear of extraordinary things. The reason: adventure is not outside man but within. That is why Alfred North Whitehead rightly says “without adventure civilization is in full decay.” Just imagine what would have happened if people had not gone forth to explore the world’s awesome riches and possibilities? Fortunately they did it, and many still do it and we are the beneficiaries.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained, they say. The great Indian Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore confirming this, says, “You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.” Similar idea has also been expressed by Andre Gide when he says, “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”
When one chooses to leave what seems safe and familiar and voyage into uncharted waters one becomes an adventurer who dares to go forward into the unknown, a pioneer, and a leader. He becomes one who makes a difference. As Ralph Waldo Emerson reminds us, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Spirit of adventure is a trait and a potential: to leave the world a better place than one found it. The things that challenge us today may no longer be the uncharted earthly lands as in the past, but the human mind, heart and soul, can be even more challenging. As Marcel Proust, puts it, “The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” Adventure is a state of mind and spirit. However, the ‘soul–power’ of a person lies in the balance of spirit and adventure. It is called the blend of creed and courage. It is only rootedness in one’s creed will provide the answers that one is searching for today and for a desired future. Only in creed real courage is born.
Life is an uncharted territory. It reveals its story one moment at a time. It is the experience of many that that as we acquire more knowledge, things do not become more comprehensible but more mysterious. One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure, and the biggest adventure one can take is to live the life of one’s dreams.
Stephen R. Covey, author of the bestseller Seven Habits of Highly Effective People says that “Ineffective people live day after day with unused potential. They experience synergy only in small, peripheral ways in their lives. But creative experiences can be produced regularly, consistently, almost daily in people’s lives. It requires enormous personal security and openness and a spirit of adventure.”
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable. It is in the compelling zest of high adventure and of victory and in creative action, that man finds his supreme joys. Real adventure is pursuit of life itself: living life to the full. For this, our lofty aims and clear purposes can release the unlimited potential of our hearts and minds. They can harness the energies of love for God and humanity. A perfect blend of creed and courage indeed! Who dares nothing, need hope for nothing!
Tarcisius Toppo
Bosco Communications, Dimapur
