"Adventure is a gateway to self discovery."

We've all heard it said, "the longest journey begins with but a single step." It really has become a trite, silly true-ism, especially from the position of not having ventured or extended ourselves beyond what is familiar, comfortable or habitual. However, when we have accomplished what is meaningful and valuable to us (a relationship, a journey, a feat of endurance) we discover that what we know of ourselves and the world around us has blossomed.

Here we discover that new seeds have been planted within us and our hearts rejoice at the curious and intricate detail that make up our world and our place it in. I think hope and faith are planted in us in these moments. The space within us where they grow is cultivated by these experiences. Here the beginnings of abundant life take root. Perhaps it is true that the best way to understand our place in the world is get up and walk around it and perhaps even leave it for a while. When we return, then it will be possible to posses it and abound within it.

It is not an accident that our legs are naturally built to take us on a journey, no surprise then that our hearts also wish us to explore, discover and extend ourselves. These are the first stirrings of faith.