Do you consider yourself an explorer? One of the definitions from Webster is: “to examine or investigate”. While pioneer and ‘adventurer’ describe the person who engages in this activity, it is ‘seeker’ that really indicates the mindset of an explorer. And while exploration is typically viewed in terms of the far flung reaches of space or world… it doesn’t need to be. Actually you can engaged in this activity from the comfort of your favorite chair. It’s all about definitions … so I ask the question again – do you consider yourself an explorer of/in/about (fill in the blank)?
Do you describe yourself as a ‘seeker’? And if so, what’s the focus of your exploration, of your investigation? Mostly it’s the focus that determines the activity necessary to engage in what you do. Because not all seeking is out in the wilds. Personally, I like to engage in this activity any time I go on a walk because there is always something new to discover or a new path to explore… when I give myself permission to do this. This mindset, giving yourself permission, underscores the reality that exploration is an activity that rarely is done ‘by accident’ – you have to decide to be an explorer.
I think I’ve always been a seeker. Granted, the seeking hasn’t always resulted in what I considered as a positive or ‘great’ learning, however it never has been a lack of discovery (one does find if one seeks) and the journey to understanding was never boring. I suspect it is those words: seek, discovery, journey, understanding that makes the explorer-mindset lifestyle so fascinating. But what do you think and believe? Does the exploration concept one that you enjoy? Can you venture forth without knowing what you may find? Perhaps there are ‘parts’ of your life that you do enjoy the search and explore mindset and others you guard so closely that they aren’t available for … a challenge?
Being a seeker does require a sense of bravery and a level of comfort in who you are. It implies a trust that even when the discovery is less than a ‘happy occurrence’, you can learn from the discovery and let it refine your frame of reference. Does this describe you? And if it doesn’t… will you pay the price to not apply understanding? Because once you discover, once you know and understand, you are responsible for this – you can’t plead ignorance. Being a seeker is a journey that is full of challenges and you may stub your toe. But … it is also full of excitement – and that’s the spice in the journey of living.
