Default

I'm careful.

I don't like rocking the boat.

I over think things most of the time.

I figure if I'm not 100% sure then I can't risk trying something new that I may not like.

I research and procrastinate over a purchase, and half the time decide I can't make my mind up so I won't get anything.

I play things safe.

These are all my default settings. Yet when I reflect on the great times, the times I felt truly alive, the times I was joyful, they almost always came about from a decision to go against this default.

To risk.

To seek.

And if I remember rightly, most times there wasn't much planning or analysing involved at all.

Whether it was paddling out when the waves were obviously too big for me, or deciding to go to London via Africa. It started as simply a thought, and I (or we) went for it.

And then I get comfortable in the default setting.

Funny thing is, when you're there, you like to tell people all about the times you broke away, the adventures you had. How brave and exciting you were.

And in your head, you go through all the excuses as to why you can't go against the default.

And sometimes you even believe yourself.