Objects are not the only things we attach ourselves to; people, places, and things play a significant role in shaping our identity. We form attachments to the material world, such as the number of friends we have, the places we travel to, or the amount of money stacked in bank accounts (now reduced to literal numbers and a plastic card). Undoubtedly, these things can enhance the quality of our lives, but life is not solely about what enhances its quality.

When sailing the seas, is the point of a parked boat in harbor to have better things on board, more company, and a treasure chest of diamonds and gold below deck? Or is it the actual sailing of the sea? Is it the landing at as many destinations, or is it the journey itself?

For me, the adventure is the point because, ultimately, our destination is the same for all of us: one day, we will die. I don’t believe that is the ultimate point. When I go to the gym, the entire purpose is to have a good workout, not necessarily to make as many friends as possible. It’s about getting fitter and stronger. For some, the gym is a social environment, like my mother who loves to chit-chat, and that’s okay. For others, the purpose is to lift, and headphones on a not chatting is also okay. The metaphor of sailing a ship is not one-size-fits-all; we show up with different reasons, and to truly live an adventure, it’s our responsibility to fully embrace it.

No one can tell you how life is meant to be lived except for you. I took a long path of reading self-development, psychology and spirituality books and audio books. Leading me to find some of the happiest people in the world. When I looked at some of the happiest people in the world, their advice was about company and community, is that the answer? For them, that works. As I transitioned to writing, a long-lost desire/passion, and studied writers, their advice was solitude, time alone, which happend to be quite the opposite. Writers when they are writing never feel alone; the writing is as real to them as real life. Some writer don’t even feel a need for social media or even care about reviews on their works. All they want to do is write. To them, this is life and the greatest adventure, above material possessions and what the mainstream tells us is needed for fulfillment.

What does this really say about living to our fullest? What does it say about true and lasting happiness that isn’t about chasing what others told us to chase? At its core, it means knowing our values. When living in our values, it’s far easier to become passionate about something. When we become passionate, there’s no thing to chase because it doesn’t end. If being a creative writer is a value, when does being a creative writer stop? There isn’t really an end point. How about being fit and healthier? When does that stop? It doesn’t. That is the adventure, not something to obtain or a destination to reach.

Everyone’s values are different, and here’s the problem I find with the world’s advice. In a generation where everyone has a voice, there’s a lot of advice flying around. When we find a value that brings us joy, we think the world should have it, so we heavily advocate it and force our ideals onto others, yet how about instead of telling people what to do, the message should be, “I found what I love, and in it, I live more fully. What is your love? What are your life values? and how can you live more fully into them?”

The real message is not to do it my way but to help point the way that works for you. What is your way? What are your values, and what will be your greatest adventure? and for the most part it won’t be the same as the next person, or the mainstream societal ideal.

Are you the quiet, observant introvert who expresses quietly? A social superstar who brings happiness, fun, and humor to a room? An entrepreneur who networks and creates, adding to the material world? A lover who focuses on house, home, and family? A teacher who empowers a future generation? A body builder whose focus is muscle and fitness? None of these are wrong answer, nor are any of them right for everyone. What is it for you?

There are infinite combinations of values that make you uniquely you. So don’t settle for a cheap version of it, material possessions, or trivial matters, thinking that the fleeting and short-lived joys of life are somehow the real adventure that brings real meaning to life. They are not, you will never find it there.

Instead of asking what the world can give you to make you happy, ask who you are to be in this world that makes you happy. This doesn’t guarantee a life full of happiness, joy, and ease. What it does promise is that you will not feel lost. When you live deeply and passionately into your values, even the challenges become tolerable. It becomes merely a process of living rather than a trauma that impacts your life. You can push through because you are living true to yourself.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the ideas shared in this post. How do you define your greatest adventure, and what values guide your journey? Feel free to share your experiences or insights, as your feedback is invaluable in fostering a meaningful and diverse conversation. Let’s continue this exploration together!