I am a Roaming Recreation Therapist.
My hearts song is to continually leap into the vast unknown.
Since 2016, I have lived in three provinces and two states.
I have traveled to remote communities, toured through huge metropolitan areas, tried delicious foods, worked amazing jobs, and met the best people.
I genuinely love putting myself in these uncomfortable and dis-regulating situations, but I’m going to let you in on a little secret, it’s actually really hard to do.
Roaming has provided me with hilarious and often times very stressful situations, which has taught me some of the most fantastic life lessons.
As we get to know each other a little better, I’d love to start by sharing my favorite lessons (to date) that I have learned from being a Roaming Recreation Therapist.
I am Capable of Some Pretty Crazy Sh*t
Drive across Canada on my own? Sure, I’d love to!
Move to a city where I don’t know a soul? Count me in!
Even though my world sometimes feels like it could crumble like a nature valley granola bar, if I take time to reflect on my accomplishments, my brief moment of crumbling will pass.
Next time you are stressin’, take a moment to reflect on something you have accomplished. It may just help to remember how gritty you are.
Check on Ted Talks on Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
Smiling = Super Power
Maybe you believe in the power of the mind. Maybe you don’t -I don’t judge.
What I can tell you is that whenever I purposefully approached people with a genuine happiness and gratitude, I rarely ever received any sort of bad vibes.
I’ve learned that feelings of warmth are contagious.
So when in doubt just smile and watch the magic unfold.
Check out this amazing Ted Talks on The Hidden Power of Smiling
Just Be Yourself
This one is much easier said than done.
There have been moments during my roaming that I have altered my personality to fit with the people and culture I was surrounded by. Granted, it’s necessary sometimes to do this to meet societal norms, but trust that you are who you are for a reason.
If you think kittens are cute, and you get excited when you see a hilarious kitten meme.
Don’t hold your excitement in. Embrace those cute little paws.
I Can Build My Own Boat
Why is everyone having more fun than me?
How did they find a job that pays them all that money?
How did they find the perfect partner who is super cute and in love with them?
WHAT IS THE SECRET AND WHY HASN’T ANYONE TOLD ME YET!
If these thoughts have crossed your mind, trust and believe that you are not the only one who feels like you missed the boat on the life-success secret that everyone else was told.
Social media can be great, but it can also be a vessel for a culture of comparison.
The more down we feel about ourselves, the better everyone else’s life appears on social media.
What I’ve learned is that no matter what your Instagram story says, we all feel a little lost sometimes. If you feel lost, it’s just time to start building your own boat.
Let my friend Kenny tell you all about building a better boat.
Please, don’t rush through life.
Oh boy.
If I had a dollar for every time I wasn’t living in the present moment, let me tell you what I would do.
- I would collect all my many dollars.
- Somehow I would get in contact with Elon Musk.
- Pay him to create a time machine (sidebar – has he done this yet?)
- Go back in time and truly enjoy all of the beautiful, once in a lifetime moments I wasn’t fully present for.
Bottom Line:
Self-growth is a process. Especially for Roaming Recreation Therapists 🙂
Everything you experience in life with help you grow, as long as you have the right perspective.
Now it’s your turn! I’d love to hear about your favorite lessons learned along the path of life. Comment below 🙂
I took this shot from the top of Mt. Leconte – The Smoky Mountains, 2018.
