We are here to have Experiences. That is the whole point. But with each given experience, there is always that looming question… How DEEP should I go?
The deeper you go the more you Experience.
But, if you go too deep you might not be able to get out. You might lose track of “reality”. Or yourself. You might waste a lot of precious time wandering around aimlessly looking for the exit.
In order to really truly understand, and to “feel”, we must experience. And the deeper we go into that experience the deeper and richer and more memorable that it will be. Good or bad. So, often we all crave to go deeper. We all crave to have more and more connection with our experience.
Over many lifetimes we have developed many fears – many for good reasons. Even phobias. Such that we will not even go NEAR something let along try it out. Because we have had a bad experience. Maybe we fear water because we once drowned. Maybe we fear high places because we once fell. These are not really unhealthy fears when we consider the circumstances. But the odd thing about fear is that it creates focus. Intense focus. And what we focus on we draw to us. Good or bad. So what we fear we will draw to us. In this instance we have but two choices… face that fear and dip our toe in the water – or walk away.
The Best Advice I Know on How to have the Most Rewarding Experiences:
1. Take a Trusted Guide
The easiest and quickest ways to face our fears is to go into a situation with a trusted guide. That way you know there will always be a way out. There will always be someone to help you. And they will be there to offer advice and assistance on how to do things “right” so there is less chance of hurting yourself.
2. Take it Slow
Wade into the water or start in the kiddie pool. Lesson your chances of something going wrong by choosing an entry point that is less risky. And take your time acclimatizing yourself to the situation.
3. Actually Get Wet
The goal at the end of the day is to actually get “wet”. To immerse yourself. You may still feel a bit of trepidation, a bit of fear. But you can push through that knowing that you have taken all the precautions that you can, and that the experience is more important that your fear. You have to want it.
Once you overcome your fears, and feel comfortable immersing yourself in something, the rewards are endless. It opens your world to experience many things you never even knew existed. Take swimming for example. Once you master the basics, you can swim in so many different lakes and oceans. You can take up snorkelling or scuba diving and see fish and creatures you have never seen before. You can go kayaking and canoeing to more remote locations knowing you will be safe in an emergency. Or you can even have some fun and wonderful man-made creations like crazy watersides.
It all starts with baby steps. You have to get your feet wet. And it helps if you surround yourself with helpful and patient friends or guides that provide that extra spark of support and encouragement.
Why Are We Doing This Again?
We are all, always, having experiences. The idea is that we could all afford to spend a little more time consciously choosing our experiences. Not only will we enjoy them more, but we will then be able to have deeper and richer experiences, which are inevitably more rewarding. Our lives will become richer and more meaningful.
When you go to a new town, or a new place, It is fine, initially, to look around a little. Take the city tour. Learn about all of your options. See what activities, events, sites seem the most attractive or exciting. But after the tour is done, you HAVE to pick something to experience. Or your trip will not be very memorable. The more you immerse yourself in any 1 …. or even 10 …. activities, the more you will get out of your journey.