Let loose the adventurer inside of you

In the midst of a book project that is taking up every single moment of my time--including sleep--I still manage to find a few moments to dream about what I'll do when I'm done!

_Sleep peacefully.
_Ride my bike.
_Take a long, hot bath.
_Stay away from the keyboard, computer, and all things "connected."

The ideas keep coming to me in moments when I'm trying to concentrate on editing a paragraph. It's been happening a lot lately, signaling to me that it's time to take a break. So I do. I step away from my desk, get out of the office, and walk through the house. But these days, as the project is so near the end, I don't venture far away from home. I haven't even taken a short walk with my dog.

It's not good, I know, but the project has to come first right now. That's my reality.

And those dreams about what I'm going to do when I'm done--my fantasies--they won't stop.

So I've decided to let them have their say, but let them loose. Tossing fragrant oils into a bath is hardly a true fantasy. I need to listen to my inner adventurer.

Do you know what it feels like when your body's telling you it's time to do something different, to shake things up?

_Do you feel antsy, as if you can't sit still for long?
_Does your mind wander?
_Does your heart rate go up when you think about taking a vacation?

If you feel any of this, it might be time for you, too, to let loose the adventurer inside of you. It might be time to schedule a retreat or to do something that tests your limits in a fun way. If you could do something a little bit--or a lot--unlike your normal self, what would it be, what would you do, where would you go?

That's what I'm thinking about right now. I'm wondering these same questions, because I know after I send my book to my publisher on February 20, I then need to focus on my personal needs. It's been too long since I was even able to step outside and enjoy the mountain views from my front yard. But that won't be enough to release all this pent-up energy that's waiting to be released.

I want to be careful, though, because there are things here at home that I've neglected since I had to turn my full attention to the book project. That kind of stuff--mowing the lawn (luckily I didn't seed for the winter), painting a bathroom wall, exchanging ceiling fans--can wait a little bit longer. What I need is something to do that will feed my very soul.

So let's think about this together...If you were to get on the road today and go for a drive, for example, where would that road take you? You don't have to worry about gas; the tank's full. You don't have to worry about traffic; the road you'll be on is all yours. No need to worry about cost; your bank account, in this instance, is overflowing in cash.

If the adventurer inside of you could go or do whatever it was she wanted, what would it be?

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