When it comes to having any sort of limitation, whether it be physical, mental or merely imagined, it is easy to use that as an excuse not to try new things. I can't tell you how many times I have said, "I don't think I can last a whole day," or, "there won't be the kind of facilities that I need to make it enjoyable for me to go." While those things may or may not have been true, I still didn't give myself the benefit of the doubt and try anyway. I realized I was narrowing the parameters of what I was allowing myself to try more and more each day. Pretty soon, I surmised, I was never going to leave my bedroom, spending most of my time surfing the internet and playing mindless games. It was never a goal of mine to be a champion internet denizen, mastering the world of Everquest as a level 40 dark elf ninja. That sort of honor was reserved for pimply faced computer geeks who fail their freshman year of college because they're too busy defeating the She-dragon in hopes of retrieving the gold plated elven wear chain mail. When I realized that that is what I was becoming, I decided to take my sister up on her invitation to visit her in the Netherlands with my other sister this spring. It is a little scary because I am not sure how I am going to manage certain things like a nine hour plane ride or attempting to get into a taxi. Those kinds of things used to be exciting adventures for me, when I would look forward to seeing what was on the other side of the mountain. Lately, however, any sort of unknown has become a point of stress for me, something with which I would rather not have to face. If I were going to list the things that I missed the most, that would be at the top: wanderlust and adventurous spirit. I am going to attempt to reclaim that, though, with this trip. I am sure that I am not going to be able to do quite as many things as my sisters will, maybe I will have to stay in a few days, but at least I will have made the hop across the pond. The moment I decided to brave the waters, so to speak, I instantly became rejuvenated. I started looking forward to tomorrow and what I was going to do in the weeks prior to my trip. Maybe that is the key to maintaining my health and stamina, a goal, a purpose. Having something to look forward to is so fundamental to a positive state of mind that I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner. I guess the whole point of this long-winded ramble is this: don't let any sort of limitation hold you back from trying to see what is on the other side of the mountain. It's just not worth it. The other side of the mountain just might hold all of the answers that you're looking for.
I can't wait to go. I can't wait to tell you all what I have done and seen on my trip