There’s a scene in the first “Hobbit” movie – the scene where Bilbo Baggins realizes he needs to leave the Shire and go out on a proper adventure. That this adventure will lead to a universe being created from one end of a book to the end of a third isn’t what matters. What matters is that this little hobbit who enjoys his home and staying in it – and never leaving the comfortable confines of his community. He’s content. Until a crazed wizard shows up with a cadre of dwarves intent on taking back their kingdom and then the real challenge for the once content hobbit begins. He faces down terrifying battles, horrifying beasts of Middle Earth and a unsettling thought they might not make it back alive.
We’re all Bilbo Baggins once in our life. Probably twice or more for some of the more stubborn of us – we’re not built for adventure. We’re built to be comfortable. To be settled. I’m painting with a broad brush – but go with me on this. The path of lease resistance – that’s the life we enjoy living. But there’s something bigger out there, something better. There’s adventure. There’s adrenaline pumping, blood curdling and mind boggling mountains to climb. And some of us decide life is worth living on the edge and we push ourselves into that great perhaps of unknown and leap off wide eyed. And others of us slowly climb out to the precipice and debate with ourselves if this indeed is something we should consider. Eventually we either trip into the cavernous unknown or we just close our eyes and jump.
And still others remain as far away from the edge of adventure as possible. That’s where I sat for 5 1/2 years. And in October, my wake up call came. I found a new job. I poured myself into it. I learned how to breath. I realized I needed to find a career. God was pounding on me with a sledgehammer to wake me up. And boy did he. Next week I start classes.
It’s a deja vu. I never graduated college. I don’t have a degree. It’s been 11 years since I sat in a classroom. The time has come to start from the bottom and climb my way back up to where I need to be. I need to get back to the Dwarven Kingdom and the future that lays within. I gave up on my hopes and career too easy all those years ago.
The Great Adventure begins Tuesday. Full speed ahead.
To infinity…and beyond.