I have always loved learning new things about subjects that I am interested in. I find that it keeps my mind busy from worry or stress, especially if I have my nose in a book or busy reading news online. I have always been curious about the world around me. I figure if I am unable to go out into the world to explore, as much as I’d like, then I can do my best to read about it through other’s experiences.
It never fails, once I read a book about a place that interests me, it only makes me want to visit even more. I want to go see with my own eyes and experience the nature and culture for myself. I have read several books about women who have embarked upon the long solo journeys on the Camino de Santiago trail. I have also read the book “Wild” by Sheryl Strayed who hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. I find I admire women who decided to challenge themselves by “giving themselves” the time and opportunity to find out what they are really made of.
These women were brave in the face of adversity. Hiking trails that were hundreds of miles long with unpredictable weather. Having to be self-reliant when looking for shelter on journeys that lasted months. Can you imagine hiking by yourself in a strange place, 10 to 20 miles a day, carrying all your equipment and needs on your back for three months? It sounds horrifying and exciting all at the same time to me!
The reason I love to read about these journeys, and one day find my perfect hiking adventure for myself, is that everything you learn on these journeys has to do with who you are on the inside. I love that these challenges, these adventures, teach us who we can be and what we are truly capable of. Sometimes you cannot learn what you need from a book or others. Sometimes life has to be lived and experienced for yourself, so you can find out what you are made of and who you really are inside.
I love to push myself to do better and be better in different ways, as much as I love my comfortable life in my warm safe house, I also love excitement. When I tell my friends about my desire to embark on such a journey, they often look at me like I have three heads! They tell my all the reason I should be scared and nuts for even wanting to subject myself to such a challenge! They say it would be dangerous for a woman to go it alone. I think to myself, “Yes, it could be but that is part of the adventure, right?!”
In all honesty, I think I would prefer company on such an adventure. But where does one find someone who would be as adventurous to join me? I won’t sweat those details yet, because it is just not the time for me, right now. It would be quite the undertaking to accept these hiking trail adventures that last for months. Yet, I think it will happen eventually. When the time is right, I will know.
Now I have read several other interesting books from memoirs and spiritual growth to non-fiction, fun reads and historical events. I do love me a great book! Isn’t it funny the things you find that you are interested in or that pull your soul? That say; “Yes, do that. This is for me.” Just by reading someone else’s experiences? I probably would have never known that these types of journeys were even possible, if it weren’t for my curiosity.
My love of reading and researching of what interests me, has accidentally gotten me to my political journey, as if by magic or what I like to call “divine guidance.” Many years ago, I was researching and learning how to live a more holistic, sustainable life, and working to do just that. When I researched the importance of organic foods, I learned a great deal of information about our food system, that surprised and angered me. It made me start my own organic garden and learn more about permaculture, but this was not enough for me.
I realized quickly that to answer this calling of my soul, I had to step up and protest the status quo. I would March Against Monsanto and I would research environmental statistics. Putting pieces of the puzzle together to try and make sense out of our modern way of life that seemed to be making me sick.
It turned out, that to make any change that should be made, to protect my family from chemicals in our drinking water and too many GMO’s in my daughter’s belly. Well… I was going to have to pay more attention to the politics that allowed and supported this way of life. I was never interested in political ambitions, never. As a matter of fact, I kind of despised politicians who continually let me and our environment down. Yet here I am.
It is not ambition or pursuit of success that brought me here, it is passion to do what is in my heart. It is no coincidence that I was led on this path that guided me to fight to protect the Minnesota I know and love for future generations. I see self-interest groups trying to weasel their way into our pristine Minnesota Boundary Waters Canoe Area to poison our water and us. I felt I had to stand up and say something. So here I am. Running for political office because I see this as the only way to protect what I love.
As Ansel Adams says; “It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment.”
My love of learning leads me to where I am today. It may not be as ‘fun’ as a journey on the Camino or Pacific Crest Trail, but I know I will learn a great deal and already it has been an adventure. I will be proud of myself for following my heart. Reading and researching keeps me holding on to dreams and planning adventures for my future.
I see, now, how my curiosity has made my life so much better. My love of learning and collecting knowledge asks me to step up and be bold enough to fight for what I want. Knowing I can defend my beliefs, because I have armed myself with the information and facts to do so.
Sometimes, learning is a hands-on experience, that has nothing to do with studying. Life is always sending me lessons through my experiences. It’s up to me to learn the lesson or repeat it until I do. Our paths are funny that way, twisting us around, to re-learn what we thought we already knew but now in a deeper more meaningful way.
Until I get to spend some time getting lost on a trail or some other adventure I find. I figure, while I am here on this path, I might as well enjoy it, while learning all I can!
What do you love most about learning? What is your favorite way to learn or… do you know everything you need to know already?
Wishing you an abundance of joyful blessings,
Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister
@EmyforHouse15A
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Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister
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Emy Minzel 