"Live less out of habit and more out of intent."

Today's Quote: "Live less out of habit and more out of intent." - Unknown

Human beings are creatures of habit. It's in our nature to stay in our comfort zone. We're comfortable in our homes, the clothes we're used to wearing, the people we're used to being around, and the job we may not like but are too scared to start something new. I've been thinking about this quote quite a bit this week, how we might not ever even realize we are stuck in habits, but we are.

Personally, I have always wanted to lead an adventurous life and try new things, however in reflecting on the past year, and trying to look at my life from the perspective of another human, I would not call it adventurous. For example, when choosing a restaurant to eat at, my family usually sticks to the same two places they usually eat at because it is familiar and comfortable to them. They already know the menu, that the staff are friendly, and how long the wait will be, so why expand to other restaurants?

Another example, is traveling. Every year since I was 2, my parents would bring us to the White Mountains in New Hampshire for Thanksgiving. Now has become the place where I have found myself wanting to go for vacation. I haven't even thought to look for anyplace new because it had become so familiar and comfortable. It's great to have these places of comfort, but I now wonder what opportunities I may be missing out on by not choosing another vacation spot, or a different restaurant. I go because I can expect what will be there, even if I no longer enjoy it as much as I used to.

We always think what is good about these habits, but never really imagine what else we could be doing that might be better, or may get us closer to that person we want to be. We aren't sure we'll like it, so we shy away. We have an innate fear of the unknown. It's natural to be attracted to the more comfortable setting. However, we also have the power to alter our way of thinking. Instead of comparing things, and thinking that if you try something new you might be disappointed, or uncomfortable, think of it as an opportunity for growth and expansion. Experience is the foundation for wisdom, and if we stick to the same restaurant every week, with the same people, and the same food, we encounter very little variation and little opportunity to discover a love for something new.

On a personal note, I would like to start looking at things in a new way. I have always thought of myself as an open person. Open to new places and new ideas, however there aren't many actions I have taken in the last year to validate this thinking. Many things I've begun to do out of plain old habit and haven't even noticed. I go to work, I come home, eat dinner, watch Netflix and resort to my bed where I sleep until the next morning, thus beginning the cycle all over again. We need variation to keep us exploring and enjoying life. The above quote posted on Pinterest today made me realize I need to start living the life I want to live. Starting now I am going to challenge myself to try something new every day this week. Opportunities in our own personal lives come and go constantly. Go out, do something new, meet someone new, try something different. At the end of the day, the worst you can get out of it is KNOWING that you don't like something rather than always wondering "what if...".

Here ends my post for today, I hope you found something helpful or inspiring and if not, I am really sorry you just wasted your time reading my rant, but hey, now you KNOW you don't like this blog. ;)