Elastically embarking on exciting endeavors while enjoying the experience enthusiastically.

I'm glad that you decided to read this despite my overly ambitious use of alliteration.  Once I started, it was just hard to stop myself.  :)

 It's thrilling to realize that setting your intention and small steady steps towards a goal can bring wondrous opportunities your way.  The key is staying flexible and open to the possibilities.  There's been times in my past where I've embarked on a mission with the specific path to reach my destination fixed in my mind.  It was great to have the plan and determination but if I lacked the flexibility to be open to other options then I may have missed out on other ways to arrive at my objective...ones that could have been beyond my imagination.

Speaking of imagination, that is exactly why I wanted to write this entry.  My intention was to depart on an adventure that would incorporate creativity, fun, new experiences and exploration into a life purpose.  My small, steady steps were comprised of unleashing my creative energy on anything that came my way - presents for friends and family, events and the like.  As a result of these actions, opportunities have appeared on the horizon that could lead me to making a dream of mine come true!  More to come on that enigmatic preview of my aspirations turning into reality.  :)

January is the perfect month to set intentions (resolutions, goals, aspirations) and brainstorm on small steps to reach your goals.  It's so much fun to do this through visualizations or masterpieces called vision boards.  There are many benefits such as:  clarifying your goals, focusing energy on achieving them, establish new habits, encouraging you to take action, attract opportunities to you, learn about yourself, gives your subconscious mind a voice, encourages positive thinking.  For the vision boards I created above (top is a gratitude journal, bottom is a poster board on my wall), I chose images that were symbolic of intrinsic goals that I have for myself.  Tomorrow, I'm having an event where those who come will be making their own vision-board, gratitude journal, along with other bonus experiences.

This is my friend, Jamie, at an event in November (small step towards my intention).  It was called, Signs of Happiness.  Fifteen phenomenal women came to Inspiration Station to paint uplifting, inspirational quotes on signs to either hang in their spaces or to pass the positive vibes on.  Jamie's sign says, "Life is a sequence of moments all called now.  It's a great quote and perfect conclusion to this entry.  What time is it?  It is now.  This is the moment to live, to love and make the most of this brief, exciting adventure called life!

Reflections to Celebrations

Oh, what a year!  As I reflected on 2012, many memories frolicked through my mind reminding me of the happiness I had experienced.  Of course, there were some memories that were not dancing through my mind...oozing, limping, tromping.  What is a yearly reflection without taking in the hard times.  Who of us out there haven't had both?  I wanted to make sure I embraced all of them.  After all the reflections, I realized that the good definitely outweighed the bad AND that all of the experiences were valuable especially the ones I deemed difficult.  And then, I celebrated!!

I celebrated and celebrate all that I have experienced so far and all that I have ahead of me.  Most of all, I celebrate my present.  I'm hopeful, optimistic and EXCITED about 2013!  There is just something magical and wonderful about this year.  I believe it will be filled with many amazing moments for all of us.  Of course we may have a few struggles, difficulties or tough times to overcome but the good will always prevail!!!!  2013, here we come!

Unexpected Discovery While Scavenging and Hunting

I love Wilmington's Cross City Trail, River to the Sea Trail and our Greenways!  So, when I realized Wilmington and New Hanover County Greenway was having a Scavenger Hunt, I jumped on the opportunity with the tenacity that would make a hyena, vulture or any other scavenger animal proud.

There were ten questions, half were online and half of them required exploration!  These questions were excellently crafted to reveal to the adventurer, jewels of information about Wilmington's wonderful greenways and trails.  I learned so much!  Such as:  in the Outer Banks, bicycling has been estimated to have an economic impact of $60 million with 1400 jobs created (source).  Also, the multi-use path at Greenfield Lake was dedicated to J. Rupert Bryan, Jr. (a city councilman who served 1975-1980) because of "his leadership by word and example in promoting biking as an alternate form of transportation for people of all walks of life to enhance physical fitness and enjoy more fully the natural scenic beauty found in the city of Wilmington."  I can really identify with his vision!  One of the main reasons I love to bike is the amazing smells, sights and experiences you are privy to when out touring by bicycle.

The discovery that delighted me the most was the East Coast Greenway!  This greenway runs 3,000 miles between Canada and Key West with 2,000 miles of alternate paths to explore.  Our Cross City Trail is a part of this fantastic route that runs through 25 cities along the East Coast.  I've always been interested in Europe's many walking, biking and hiking continental trails and wondered why United States missed the bus bike.  You can imagine my excitement in discovering the fact that we will have such a trail here on the East Coast!!!!  There are so many treasures, resources and wonders associated with this project that I will not attempt to convey them all in this post.  If this moves you like it did me, check their website out:  http://www.greenway.org.  

Thank you Wilmington Greenway for this opportunity and specifically Ginnie Weir for the brilliant scavenger hunt questions!  Not only did I learn a great deal about our greenways and area but I won a Beach Cruiser from Two Wheeler Dealer!  Of course, my detective work in the greenways of Wilmington would not have been complete without my trusty sidekick, Captain Jack.  I may have been the head in the online investigation but he was the sleuthhound out in the field.  See his detective work below.  Side note:  Wilmington Greenway is having a Photo Contest to raise more awareness and usage of the Cross City Trail.  Check it out!

A Preamble to a Pilgrimage

Adventures have thwarted my good intentions of writing the last two weeks.  I hope to soon master the art of experiencing these amazing jaunts while being able to reveal their magical moments to you in a timely fashion.  This week, I plan to elaborate on the exciting two week whirlwind of crusades...including but not limited to:  a four day music fest on the beach, a Fergitude quest through Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana, racing with 600 plus women through the streets of Downtown Wilmington, participation in a Midsummer Night's Dream wedding proposal, a scavenger hunt with Captain and a Memorial Weekend full of salt and freshwater.  I'll be posting throughout the week but here's a glimpse into the stories!

Social Grasshopper

For one year, I disengaged from what has always been a big portion of my life - the social side.  I often referred to myself as a hermit during this time of reflection and introspection.  It was an adventure I had never attempted.  At times it felt so wrong...saying no to invitations was the hardest.  Despite the challenge of saying no, it was a therapeutic experience.  I got to know my introverted side...a part of me that I've neglected for much of my life.  It was rewarding to find fulfillment, strength and happiness from within.  As a hermit, I still went on many adventures:  hiking, kayaking, triathlons, creative retreats to Lake Waccamaw, haunted houses, running, biking, 4 weddings (not very hermitish) and much more.  Unfortunately, I did not finish the book I had planned to write.  I have been working on it though and the idea is blossoming into something I had not predicted!  Spring has not only infused colors and life into the flowers, trees and nature but it has breathed a dynamic energy into my original mission of living each day as the adventure that it is.

Now, I'm ready to let my extroverted side come out to play while still allowing quality time for introspection with my introverted side.  I want to strike a healthy balance between the two.  Before I may have been a social butterfly, but now I see myself as a social grasshopper.  :)

I have neglected my blog for quite sometime.  In the beginning, I committed to a 30 day blog challenge.  Today, I commit to blogging at least once a week indefinitely.  It is a continuation of my original mission, to stay present and live each day as the adventure it is.  Each week I'll post about exciting adventures found in daily life!  Wooohoooo!!!!!

A New Path and a Speech

I've been getting into the swing of a whole new gig for 2011.  Major decisions have been made that are taking me down a whole new path!

Big Decisions:

1. December 23, 2010:  I decided to get out of Real Estate.  This decision deserves a entire blog entry (or three), but in less words...there is something else I would like to accomplish.  Which leads us to..
2. December 31, 2010:  I've made the goal to write a book this year.  I met with my writing buddy, Beth, on this day and we put together our writing plan.  Much more to come about this!
3. March 9, 2011:  In order to keep balance in my life I've found an 8:30am - 5pm position for a company that recognizes employees for their strengths.  Not only am I in a great environment but have the means to follow my dreams (while job hunting for this position I worked as an independent contractor in advertising and mental health).
4. Along with my writing, I have been putting myself into as many speaking opportunities as I can.  Most recently is the International Speech Contest.  There are six levels to the contest.  I have advanced through two so far and will be speaking at the third level this weekend!  Here's a link to my speech that was recorded in the Area contest (the 2nd level).  Nicole's Speech

Sprinkled throughout these big decisions have been many side adventures along the way:

• met with Bobbie Staten, a nationally recognized Motivational Humorist
• three and half days of water fasting with my hubby.  Greg made it 7 days!!  He is amazing.
• many great books (Fall of Giants, Siddhartha, Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, Philosophy for Dummies, Nonfiction Book Proposals and The Agony and The Ecstasy, A Biographical Novel of Michaelangelo) 
• visited the Buddhist Temple in Bolivia
• reveled in a fun filled girls weekend in Myrtle Beach
• met with Tom Morris "who just may be the world's happiest philosopher", author & professional speaker
• explored a Labyrinth
• did my first Adventure Race (with my brother and hubby), 
• was the Murderer at a Murder Mystery dinner party
• plenty of birthday, baby shower, engagement, and other celebrations throughout these 3 months

I realize now that blog entries need to be dedicated to many of these experiences!  Much more to come!

I promise

Dear Reader,

By the end of 2011, I promise to have written a book about how every day of our life is an adventure.  Each day holds limitless possibilities of discovery.  Every single decision we make takes us down undiscovered paths.  Our choices in each moment are creating the masterpiece that is our life.  You are a trailblazer from the moment you get out of bed.  I promise this book will help you see this in yourself.

You will be empowered.  The power does not lie in the book, it lies within you.  My words will simply serve as a  catalyst in seeing yourself as your own version of Amelia Earhart, a Goonie, Harry Potter, Jacques Cousteau, Froto Baggins, Lief Erickson, Ponce de Leon, Indiana Jones...you are navigating the most thrilling voyage there is, your own life.  In reading this book, you will be instilled with wonder in the "average day".  Actually, an average day will no longer exist.  You'll come to see how exhilarating each moment of your life is because it is you who is creating it with every move you make.  It will encourage you to switch off the auto pilot and fully experience this incredible journey you are on.  With this perspective, you hold immense power in every choice you make, your response or reaction to everything that comes your way.  These decisions have brought you to this moment right now and can take you anywhere.  Doesn't that make you feel alive?  This book will fill you with excitement for your adventure of the day.  It will help you be present.  It will invoke value into what was once mundane.  It is a reminder that we are meant to fully experience and enjoy our short existence in this world.

We are all human and there will be times that we struggle, have doubt and experience pain but I want to remind us that all these experiences (the joy, the pain, the rewards, the losses) are part of the incredible adventure that is our life.  My book will help us see that the power lies in our choices and how we respond to the many turns of our journey.  I promise to share a perspective that will fill us with wonder for every day of our life.

(This was a writing exercise that I did as the beginning phase of writing my book.  It is a letter to the future reader.)