Comments on: There is a Spirit its name is Adventure

By: Martha Goudey

Martha Goudey — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 14:11:31 +0000

This post reminds me that all adventures don’t mean riding a bike 8,000 miles. I’ve had adventures — I once rode my bike from Eugene, Oregon to Bend, Oregon, over the Three Sisters mountains, by myself. I’ve gone helicopter skiing. I’ve driven my VW van through all the western states…I’ve grown organic gardens and raised a son. At 54, I went back to college for a journalism degree and became the editor of a community newspaper. I helped my mother live a decent life until she died at nearly 102. Now…I’m having foot surgery and I’m scared sleepless. I’m doing it so I can walk and hike again. However, you’ve helped me see, it’s another adventure! How I hold it will make the difference. (I read your article about sleeping sitting up. I might have to try it while I recover from the surgery … Thanks.) Happy adventuring. I’ll follow along and share the adventure.

By: Rua Lupa

Rua Lupa — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 01:30:10 +0000

*High F*cking Five*

By: Drew Jacob

Drew Jacob — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 19:39:52 +0000

it can’t be defined too precisely without losing its loftiness, but it can’t be trivialized without losing that, either

RAH! That’s it exactly.

By: Drew Jacob

Drew Jacob — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 19:38:51 +0000

Thank you… I never could have understood it without the discussion from my readers.

By: Arden

Arden — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 18:54:23 +0000

Didn’t mean to be obtuse — it’s Burke. I don’t know if Kierkegaard has a notion of the Sublime, though I wouldn’t be surprised!

Sounds plausible. Maybe the Sublime is the end goal? (Though that sounds very abstract.) Something Longinus said about the Sublime– that it can’t be defined too precisely without losing its loftiness, but it can’t be trivialized without losing that, either — reminded me of this discussion and was what made me connect the concepts.

By: Drew Jacob

Drew Jacob — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 15:52:46 +0000

Very interesting Arden. Where is the quote from?

(My guess: Kierkegaard, but let me know.)

Based on that definition of the Sublime, I would say Adventure is a tool used to reach the Sublime.

By: Drew Jacob

Drew Jacob — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 15:50:23 +0000

Congrats on a hard mission Saum. I look forward to the followup post on Huff Po. (I assume there will be one?)

By: Arden

Arden — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 04:51:31 +0000

You know, I think you could have made this entry about the Sublime, and it would have made perfect sense:

“Whatever is fitted in any sort to excite the ideas of pain, and danger, that is to say, whatever is in any sort terrible, or is conversant about terrible objects, or operates in a manner analogous to terror, is a source of the sublime; that is, it is productive of the strongest emotion which the mind is capable of feeling.. when danger or pain press too nearly, they are incapable of giving any delight, and yet with certain modifications, they may be, and they are delightful….”

I know the two are related for me. Perhaps they are in general as well.

I still don’t think we should use adventure lightly, and I believe we all approach it in different ways, only one of which is adventurer. The other roles go too unsung. But I hope everyone experiences the sublime — and I suppose, in that same way, I hope everyone experiences adventure.

By: Saum

Saum — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 02:06:49 +0000

Yeah! Great post. I’ve had many adventures that involved physical risk. This was different. I had to get the right gear: a suit & heels. I had to overcome self-doubt, expand beyond my boundaries & face my fears. I was shaking in those heels. I will always look back at this with wonder & awe of what I accomplished. Thanks, my dear. I wish you were here, but I’m glad you are where you are.

By: Drew Jacob

Drew Jacob — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 20:29:25 +0000

I’m glad, Sophia. Thank you.