I had quite possible the best Fourth of July in the book of Julia's life. My favorite part of the glorious day was going to a natural water slide that is nestled into the mountainside near my hometown in Utah. About a mile up the trail is this amazing slick rock that hundreds of people, I'd say, a day slip and slid down for fun. There's even a pool that you can cliff dive into. Of course, I was crazy enough to take the dangerous plunge.
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| Copyright Julia King 2013 |
And I had the courage to send myself hurling down the slippery rock four times. Here's the pictures that were taken to document this momentous event.
Not only am I sort of showing off, but I'd like to make a point by gleaning from this cool experience and applying it to writing or whatever.
Anyone who's seen "The Dead Poet's Society" will know of the phrase: "Carpe Diem - Seize the Day."
In a nutshell, this phrase means you shouldn't let experiences or opportunities pass you by. If you do, then you will be missing out on something truly magnificent. I assure you, I almost didn't go to Sliding Rock, and I would have missed out on such a fun time.
My favorite quote ever is from "Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare:
"Cowards die many times before their deaths. The valiant never taste of death but once."
I take this quote as expressing if you don't take risks or man up to the challenge then you will die, not literally, but figuratively. You won't taste of the fruits of the risk. You will not see what beauty awaits you if you forge through the darkness to reach the ultimate happy light by conquering something you never thought you could do. You know what? You may not succeed, but that doesn't matter. The fact that you tried at all is pleasurable enough.
I encourage you to send out that first or 80th query letter. Write that story that has been swirling its brilliant plot in your head. Dive head first into your passions. And go for it!
So, in the coming months, I am going to try something that I never thought I'd do. I'm not saying what it is right now (surprise), but I know that I will die if I don't go down trying.
Do you take risks no matter the cost? How do you live your life with a carpe diem - seize the day attitude?
Writing Jewels
I don't take risks no matter the cost. The cost is a huge part of the deciding factor. Sometimes the cost, though high, is worth paying.(whether or not I succeed) Sometimes it's not. Seizing the day means acting instead of procrastinating or letting fear take over. It doesn't mean that we need to forget the cost of our choices. Because the cost will always be there. No matter what.
ReplyDeleteI definitely adhere to no guts, no glory. I guess that's what's drawn me to entrepreneurship as well as crazy outdoor activities like Sliding Rock. But I know most people like to take risks that are hardly risky. Over time I've become a little more calculating. Hope all goes well with your new venture!
ReplyDeleteNever know how fun some things can be, until we try. But yeah the costs have to be considered for some things. Better to die a little then actually die haha
ReplyDeleteThat's one of my favorite Shakespeare quotes too!
ReplyDeleteRisks are important. I think we would miss out on some truly amazing things in life if we didn't take risks now and then.
That is a great quote.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for going down the rock slide! It looks like fun.
I'll admit I'm a cautious risk taker.
Oh, I'm pretty sure you can guess that I'm a risk taker. I've done so many stupidly awesome things that I should be dead. But now I have good stories. Also, I miss our chats.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, that waterfall/slide looks like a blast! Too awesome! I don't take risks no matter the cost, but I'm definitely willing to put myself out there even with it's hard. It hard, but worth it.
ReplyDeletewhat an amazing picture! Thanks for the encouragement and advice this morning. Needed to read this!
ReplyDeleteLooks like fun—and now you've got me curious about what the next thing you try will be! :)
ReplyDeleteI certainly like to take risks and see where the experience takes me. Thanks for this post!
ReplyDeletewww.modernworld4.blogspot.com
I am SO not the adventurous type when it comes to outdoor activities, but I have to say I take risks when it comes to relationships with people. I step out of my comfort zone and "carpe diem" a lot with helping and meeting new people.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid ( many many years ago) I used to be a "Push the Envelope" type of girl. But just this morning before I read this I was thinking how i have not done anything to enjoy the summer. I get up go to my chair write, eat and sleep. That's it.And I am still capable of walking - yet I don't. I need to change that some how.
ReplyDeleteIt does look like you had fun. Can't wait to see what else you have planned.
Debi