Life is Too Short Not To Live it Now

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(Actually wrote this post the other day, but needed to run it by my "editor" Lukus first. There is a new post coming in a day or two!)

It is interesting, when talking to people about our upcoming, yearlong adventure, we basically get two reactions. Some think it sounds exciting and they express envy, wishing they could do something similar. Others, however, think we are a little crazy, they can’t imagine just taking off for a year and leaving everything behind.

The other night, Lukus and I were contemplating if we were “crazy”, which led into reminiscing about the past three years we have been together. It surprised even us how long the list of things we have experienced is. After looking at this list, this next experience we are embracing does not seem so radical.

Here is a summary of some of the things we have done (in no particular order):

1. Spent 14 days driving a 40 foot boat across the Mediterranean Sea from Spain to Greece, stopping at a volcano island
2. Toured Singapore in a constant 30 degree heat
3. Visited Japan twice where Lukus was able to meet my family
4. Drove down to Florida to visit Lukus’ brother; went ocean fishing
5. Lived in friend’s houses, a garage, an apartment and now the boat
6. Danced 6 hour marathons (countless times)
7. Rode a motorcycle from Port Dover to French River (near Sudbury)
8. Watched meteor showers and gazed at the moon and stars through a scope
9. Played at the park and sat on the swings
10.Walked in the rain and talked to trees
11.Played darts, pool, poker, chess, checkers, gin
12.Learned about psychology, electricity, navigation and law
13.Wrote each other poetry and songs
14.Was arrested and jailed for a day and defended himself in court several times (that was Lukus)
15.Had our residence searched by the police
(those last two hold quite the story. If you haven’t heard it, you should ask Lukus sometime)
16.Drew, painted, and sculpted with clay
17.Sewed, welded, painted, fabricated and constructed
18.Discussed God, philosophy, law, physics, math, mechanics and electronics
19.Made friends with a swan, whom we affectionately named “George”
20.Lived on our boat during winter, which took all sorts of figuring for heating and insulation
21.Flew in a little four seater plane in a light snow fall
22.Went zip lining in Turkey Point
23.Paddled up various creeks
24.Went to plays and to watch live music
25.Went skiing/snowboarding
26.Cooked together, making up new concoctions
27.Dined on Japanese, Mexican, Indian, Singaporean, Chinese, Malasian, Vietnamese, Thai, Jamaican, Italian, French, Spanish and Greek food
28.Boated and anchored out all up along Long Point and at Pottahawk
29.Snorkelled and scuba dove in Lake Erie
30.Learned to change the electrical for lighting, build heaters,
31.Drove out to Nova Scotia, met some amazing people and ate fresh lobster
32.Sanded, painted, sanded, painted, and cleaned the boat
33.Watched Finding Nemo 3 times (because I keep forgetting the ending!)
34.Jammed together
35.Bathed in the lake
36.Walked a railroad
37.Hiked a waterfall
38.Slept in the car
39.Played hide and seek in the dark
40.Picnicked and napped in the forest to the sound of wind and birds

We hope that sharing this list might encourage and motivate even one of you to go out and try something new.

For those who are envious of the next adventure we are undertaking, please, don’t be! Instead, find something that you are passionate about and jump out and grab it. Even if you feel you can’t take a whole year away, there are so many ways to live your adventure. Or make your own list of things you have done, it may surprise you how many things you have already – I know it did us!

And for those who can’t imagine just leaving it all behind, perhaps it will inspire you to try something new, to stretch your limits, but still within comfort. It is amazing to realize what you are actually capable of when you stretch yourself.

All we know is that life is too short to wait for the “right time” to live it.

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Photos

Cruising up to Stromboli
This is an active volcano island in Italy where we spent the night during our Mediterranean crossing. We had an amazing dinner, met some super friendly people and laid on the sidewalk to watch the volcano shoot up every few minutes.