Adventure Day One

December 11, 2008 – Rickey and I have put together an Adventure Day One Survival Guide; seven mile markers that may help you along your journey.  The logo on the Adventure Day One website is our symbol for survival.  The logo depicts the circle of life and the branch is our journey.  Each leaf represents our growth on the journey of self-discovery that strengthens our spirit and grounds our direction as we face our challenges.

In reflection, Rickey realized that these leaves were the pages of his journey of self-discovery.  He did not set out to be strong or profound, but looking back at how he survived facing death we recognized seven things that were core to our journey from which we drew strength to survive on our uncharted adventure. 

 

Rickey writes: Mile Marker Three:  Stop and take notice - pay attention to those around you, for we are all connected.

Rarely a day goes by that I don’t meet up with someone I know or run into someone I am meeting for the first time.  Each encounter is an opportunity to expand my horizons and maybe give something to someone else.  Honestly, I don’t stop and say hello to everyone I contact.  The Wal-Mart greeter isn’t there to chat and share, (although sometimes I wonder), but a cashier will tell you a story if you open up first.  I’ve pretty much been a friendly guy all my life, but not always open.  Still, I like to keep a bit of a bubble around me, but through the Adventure I learned just how connected we really are to each other.  It started during chemotherapy when members of the hospital staff, almost always busy, would stop by to “take a reading” of some sort, then sit down and talk.  Just talk.  Through these sessions we’d learn more about each other and share views that were alike and different, but we shared.  Bonds grew and a connection with each individual, and the staff as a whole, became stronger.  Visitors began to show up at all hours, day or night, to visit.  In the middle of the night I’d wake up to a staff member “taking a reading” only to sit and share a story.  We became a family.  Some closer than others, but if you came in my room, you didn’t get out without sharing something.  The first time I was able to leave the hospital to go home for a few days I went to the Front Desk of the ward to check out.  To my surprise, the senior military nurse on duty called “Attention on Deck!” This is a tradition and a sign of military respect that someone of importance has arrived in the area. Everyone on duty stood up.  Well, I had been retired over a year and I wasn’t that important or was I?  I began to tear up.  I realized we created a bond - each of us.  It wasn’t always easy to focus on someone else during these times, but apparently it was always important. 

Just the other day, nearly six years later, I was sitting in the doctor’s office for a semi-annual oncology check-up when through the door an excited Navy Officer arrives shouting “It is you! It is you!  You look great!” Without hesitation we instantly hugged.  She was my first doctor, the one who diagnosed my leukemia and gave me the news.  Six years earlier she had stood at the foot of my bed when they told me my first treatments didn’t work. I remember her whispering “It isn’t fair, it isn’t fair” as my wife and I consoled each other.  Seeing her so excited I realized she didn’t know I had survived.  She had recently returned to the hospital after being transferred in the middle of my treatment.  I knew she was my first doctor, but until that day I didn’t realize that I was her first patient. We shared that bond we built years ago, and like long lost family members who accidentally run into each other, we shared a brief, but intense moment of joy.

I find myself sharing more with strangers, and appreciating friends and acquaintances so much more now.  We should all stop and pay attention to those around us.  We are all connected.  We are ALL family and share a common bond.   

 

Everyday you have an opportunity to either pay attention or ignore each and every person you see, strangers and family alike.  Survival isn’t always about you it is about how you connect to others and how your actions cause a chain reaction through those around you.  We are all connected through our journey.  Today, stop and take notice, you may be amazed at what you see.

Until our next blog – remember life is an adventure, embrace the journey.  You can make a difference one day at a time. 

Share your adventure with us!

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