Getting outside and going on adventures has many benefits. Creating lasting memories, spending time with loved ones, expanding our experiences, and exercise are all obvious reasons to get out there. Another benefit of getting outside is the perspective we can gain. Many times, in the daily grind we get caught up in the minutia of chores and stress and forget how little most things matter.
There are a couple of ways to maintain perspective. One: get outside and go somewhere BIG. The Rocky Mountains. The Sierra Nevadas. The granddaddy of BIG: Alaska. There is such a stunning majesty to Alaska that you feel small. Not small in a derogatory tiny way, but small in that it helps to shape a view that understands how big the world (universe?) really is, and through that lens our problems get very small.
In the day-to-day a trick to help maintain perspective is the 10-10-10. Kid snuck out? Got in a fender bender? Someone at work aggravating you? How will you feel about this in 10 days? Probably still a little raw. How will you feel about this in 10 months? Maybe nearly forgotten… or the child is getting ready to move away or the co-worker is gone. How will you feel about this in 10 years? Perspective.
While it would be great to just head out to Yellowknife or run up the inside passage at a moment’s notice, these trips often require a bit more planning. While we are planning our adventure the 10-10-10 can help keep us right sized. That being said, it is tough to beat the majesty of Alaska and if you haven’t been it is worth the trip.
Comments